Simulation of collisionless shocks in plasmas with high metallicity

Abstract

Abstract The results of hybrid simulation of low-beta supercritical quasi-parallel shocks in high metallicity plasma are presented. The structure of upstream and downstream turbulence is addressed and velocities of the corresponding scattering centers are derived. It is shown that independently of their chemical composition the shocks experience self-reformation process. However, the period of self-reformation as well as the wave spectrum is greatly affected by the presence of substantial admixture of weakly charged heavy ions. Also the downstream magnetic field amplification is stronger for the high metallicity case.