TY  - JOUR
A1  - Mizuno, Yosuke
A1  - Pohl, Martin
A1  - Niemiec, Jacek
A1  - Zhang, Bing
A1  - Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi
A1  - Hardee, Philip E.
T1  - Magnetic field amplification and saturation in turbulence behind a relativistic shock
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - We have investigated via 2D relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations the long-term evolution of turbulence created by a relativistic shock propagating through an inhomogeneous medium. In the post-shock region, magnetic field is strongly amplified by turbulent motions triggered by pre-shock density inhomogeneities. Using a long-simulation box we have followed the magnetic field amplification until it is fully developed and saturated. The turbulent velocity is subrelativistic even for a strong shock. Magnetic field amplification is controlled by the turbulent motion and saturation occurs when the magnetic energy is comparable to the turbulent kinetic energy. Magnetic field amplification and saturation depend on the initial strength and direction of the magnetic field in the pre-shock medium, and on the shock strength. If the initial magnetic field is perpendicular to the shock normal, the magnetic field is first compressed at the shock and then can be amplified by turbulent motion in the post-shock region. Saturation occurs when the magnetic energy becomes comparable to the turbulent kinetic energy in the post-shock region. If the initial magnetic field in the pre-shock medium is strong, the post-shock region becomes turbulent but significant field amplification does not occur. If the magnetic energy after shock compression is larger than the turbulent kinetic energy in the post-shock region, significant field amplification does not occur. We discuss possible applications of our results to gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei.
KW  - MHD
KW  - relativistic processes
KW  - shock waves
KW  - turbulence
KW  - methods: numerical
KW  - gamma-ray burst: general
Y1  - 2014
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stu196
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 439
IS  - 4
SP  - 3490
EP  - 3503
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  -