Phase space transport in the interaction between shocks and plasma turbulence

Abstract

The interaction of collisionless shocks with fully developed plasma turbulence is numerically investigated. Hybrid kinetic simulations, where a turbulent jet is slammed against an oblique shock, are employed to address the role of upstream turbulence on plasma transport. A technique, using coarse graining of the Vlasov equation, is proposed, showing that the particle transport strongly depends on upstream turbulence properties, such as strength and coherency. These results might be relevant for the understanding of acceleration and heating processes in space plasmas.