Ion Acoustic Shock Wave Formation and Ion Acceleration in the Interactions of Pair Jets with Electron–ion Plasmas

Abstract Astrophysical jets are ubiquitous in the universe and often associated with compact objects, their interactions ambient medium not only dissipate own energy but also provide ideal circumstances for particle acceleration. By means of theoretical analysis particle-in-cell simulations, here we study ion acoustic shock wave (IASW) formation consequent acceleration when electron–positron ( e − + ) injected into electron–ion plasmas. It is found that Buneman instability can be excited first, which induces an (IAW). As amplitude IAW increases, its waveform steepened subsequently IASW formed. Some ions plasmas will reflected they encounter IASW, thus accelerated to form energetic beam. For initial jet Lorentz factor γ 0 = 100 ion–electron mass ratio m i / 1836, up 580 MeV. This deepens our understanding fireball model gamma-ray bursts, pulsar wind nebulae, origin cosmic rays, other related astrophysical processes.