Abstract
Ion stream instabilities are essential for collisionless shock formation as seen in astrophysics. Weakly relativistic shocks are considered as candidates for sources of high energy cosmic rays. Laboratory experiments may provide a better understanding of this phenomenon. High intensity short pulse laser systems are opening possibilities for efficient ion acceleration to high energies. Their collision with a secondary target could be used for collisionless shock formation. In this paper, using particle-in-cell simulations we are studying interaction of a sub-relativistic, laser created proton beam with a secondary gas target. We show that the ion bunch initiates strong electron heating accompanied by the Weibel-like filamentation and ion energy losses. The energy repartition between ions, electrons and magnetic fields are investigated. This yields insight on the processes occurring in the interstellar medium (ISM) and gamma-ray burst afterglows.
Highlights
Collisionless shocks are the ubiquitous phenomena in the Universe
We show that the ion bunch initiates strong electron heating accompanied by the Weibel-like filamentation and ion energy losses
It is believed that relativistic shocks are responsible for strong electron heating, magnetic field generation and subsequent emission of hard X and gamma rays in Gamma Ray Bursts (GRB)
Summary
Collisionless shocks are the ubiquitous phenomena in the Universe. Weakly relativistic shocks are created in the supernova explosions. Experiments with non-relativistic laser pulses of sub-nanosecond duration and energy of a few hundred Joules demonstrate a possibility of plasma streams formation with high. The overall interaction time of about one ion plasma period, pitmax ∼ 6, is not sufficient for excitation of ion instabilities and full shock formation In this time interval one can see the development of electron instabilities, magnetic field generation and electron heating: the processes that are investigated in this paper
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