Fast Magnetosonic Turbulence in Two-Dimensional Relativistic Plasmas

TL;DR

This paper presents kinetic simulations of driven 2D relativistic plasma turbulence, revealing a transition from wave-dominated to shock-driven regimes and confirming theoretical spectral properties of fast modes.

Contribution

First kinetic simulation of fast magnetosonic turbulence in 2D relativistic plasmas, demonstrating regime transition and spectral agreement with theory.

Findings

Turbulence transitions from weak wave-dominated to shock-driven with increased driving strength.

Spectral properties in the weak turbulence regime match theoretical predictions.

Results are relevant for modeling high-energy astrophysical plasma turbulence.

Abstract

We present fully kinetic simulations of driven 2D turbulence in a relativistic plasma, designed for the first time to induce a fast magnetosonic cascade. As the driving strength increases, turbulence transitions from a weak wave-dominated regime to strong shock-driven dynamics. Using spatiotemporal Fourier analysis, we identify fast modes, finding that the weak turbulence regime exhibits spectral properties that are in excellent agreement with theoretical expectations. Our results are relevant for the modeling of turbulence in high-energy astrophysical plasmas.