Relativistic shock reflection using integral conservation laws

Abstract

Shock wave reflection from a rigid wall has been thoroughly studied in the Newtonian limit, simplifying the problem by analyzing it in a steady-state frame, S′, where the point P of the shock's intersection with the wall is at rest. However, a “superluminal” regime emerges when the velocity of point P (vp) exceeds the speed of light (vp>c), where no steady-state frame S′ exists. It occurs predominantly in the relativistic regime, relevant in astrophysics, where it encompasses nearly all of the shock incidence angles. To study this regime, we introduce a new approach. We formulate integral conservation laws in the lab frame S (where the unshocked fluid is at rest) for regular reflection (RR), using two methods: a. fixed volume analysis and b. fixed fluid analysis. We show the equivalence between the two methods, and also to the steady-state oblique shock jump conditions in frame S′ in the sub-luminal regime (vp<c). Applying this framework, we find that both the weak and strong shock RR solutions are bounded in the parameter space by the detachment line on the higher incidence angles side. The strong shock solution is also bounded by the luminal line on the lower incidence angles side and exists only between these two critical lines in the sub-luminal attachment region.