EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Ellison et al. 1993
Ellison, D.C., Giacalone, J., Burgess, D. and Schwartz, S.J. (1993). Simulations of particle acceleration in parallel shocks: Direct comparison between Monte Carlo and one-dimensional hybrid codes. Journal of Geophysical Research 98: doi: 10.1029/93JA01753. issn: 0148-0227.

We have made a direct comparison between two different computer simulations of a plane, parallel, collisionless shock including particle acceleration to energies typical of those of diffuse ions observed at the earth bow shock. Despite the fact that the one-dimensional hybrid and Monte Carlo techniques employ entirely different algorithms, they give surprisingly close agreement in the overall shapes of the complete distribution functions for protons as well as heavier ions. Both methods show that energetic ions emerge smoothly from the background thermal plasma with approximately the same relative injection rate and that the fraction of the incoming plasma's energy flux that is converted into downstream enthalpy flux of the accelerated population (i.e., the acceleration efficiency) is similar in the two cases. The fraction of the downstream proton distribution made up of superthermal particles is quite large, with at least 10% of the energy flux going into protons with energies about 10 keV. In addition, an upstream precursor, produced by backstreaming energetic particles, is present in both shocks, although the Monte Carlo precursor is considerably longer than that produced in the hybrid shock. These results offer convincing evidence that, at least in these ways, the two simulations are consistent in their description of parallel shock structure and particle acceleration, and they lay the groundwork for development of shock models employing a combination of both methods. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1993

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Space Plasma Physics, Shock waves, Space Plasma Physics, Charged particle motion and acceleration, Interplanetary Physics, Planetary bow shocks
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit