2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
[PEM17-08] Electron mirror reflection at non-relativistic, high Mach number oblique shocks
Keywords:shock, electron acceleration, PIC simulation
We study such electron reflections for different shock speeds using a newly developed PIC simulation code adapted to the Fugaku supercomputer. With our two-dimensional (2D) load-balanced simulation code, we could follow the long-term evolution and thus track the escaping electrons in the upstream region. With a shock angle of 70 degrees, we find that the Buneman instability is excited with large amplitudes at the leading edge of the foot for shock speeds down to 10% of the speed of light. Although the energy gain of the particles from the Buneman instability is limited in such a truly non-relativistic regime, it plays a crucial role in pushing the particle's pitch angle closer to 90 degrees. The resulting high-pitch angle particles are subject to further mirror reflection at the shock front and thus have an efficient reflection rate even in the high Mach number shocks. In this presentation, we describe the results of 2D PIC simulations, focusing on electron reflection and its implications for realistic SNR shock speeds.