Dynamics of quasi-perpendicular shocks: Recent results issued from 2D PIC simulation

Abstract

Cross-scale coupling between fluid dynamics and particle kinetics at perpendicular collisionless shocks is an issue of space plasma physics. The influence of shock-front ripples to the dynamics of shocks is studied by means of a large-scale two-dimensional (2D) full particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. The present simulation has confirmed the transition of shock structures from the cyclic self-reformation to the quasi-stationary shock front due to rippled structures at the shock front.