Theory and simulations of field strengths in magnetosonic shock waves in finite beta plasmas

Abstract

Field strengths in an oblique magnetosonic shock wave in a collisionless, finite beta plasma are studied with theory and simulations. With the use of the warm, two-fluid model, the maximum values of the magnetic field, the transverse electric field, and the electric potential in a shock wave are analytically obtained as functions of the shock speed. One-dimensional, electromagnetic particle simulations are then carried out to measure the field strengths in shock waves. The theory and the simulation results are found to be consistent.