Laboratory and computer simulations of super-Alfvénic shocks in a weakly ionized medium

• DOI: 10.1063/1.1539473
• Publication Date: 2003-02-25T18:42:44Z
• Authors: D. Mourenas; J. Vierne; F. Simonet; V. I. Krauz; S. Nikulin; V. V. Mialton; M. A. Karakin
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

High Mach number shocks have been studied experimentally at the Kurchatov Institute in 2000 with PF3 Plasma Focus [N. V. Filippov et al., Phys. Lett. A 211, 168 (1996)]. The main goal of these especially designed laboratory experiments was to provide data against which test current numerical models, order better understand interaction a high-velocity plasma jet partially ionized gas strong transversal magnetic field. Observed field compression, density profile evolution, and shock slowing down, are well reproduced by two-dimensional hybrid code HAWAI2D [B. Lembege F. Simonet, Plasmas 8, 3967 (2001)] Monte Carlo collisions. Some initial conditions directly obtained from numerous diagnostics installed experimental chamber. Others derived velocity background measurements, making use simplified model propagation pinch. Ion-neutral collisions play central role dynamics, as demonstrated simulations.