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The structure of quasi-shocks in a collision-free plasma in a magnetic field

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

J. G. Cordey  and
P. G. Saffman
J. G. Cordey
Affiliation:
Cutham Laboratory, Abingdon, Berkshire, England
P. G. Saffman
Affiliation:
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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Abstract

A study is made of finite amplitude, oblique, hydromagnetic waves in a cold collision-free plasma. It is shown that the equations admit steady solutions which describe flow through a front. Ahead of the front, the flow is uniform, but behind the front the magnetic field and flow variables oscillate irregularly in a random manner. The fronts are called ‘quasi-shocks’, although they have more in common with the laminar-turbulent transition of fluid mechanics than with the classical shock wave. The structure of the quasi-shocks is examined, and estimates are made for the mean values behind the front. The relevance of the quasishocks to the so-called ‘collision-free shock’ is considered, and comparison is made with the ‘bow shock’ on the solar wind near the earth. It is shown that the quasi-shock is consistent with some of the observed data.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , February 1967 , pp. 129 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1967

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References

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