Abstract
We present a common unifying macroscopic framework for precursors in relativistic shock waves. These precursors transfer energy and momentum from the hot downstream to the cold upstream, modifying the shock structure. It was shown that in a steady state, there is a maximal fraction of the downstream energy flux that the precursor can carry. We show here that at this critical value, the shock disappears, and the flow passes through a sonic point. This behaviour resembles the classical Newtonian Rayleigh flow problem. At the critical value, the transition is unstable as perturbations in the upstream accumulate at the sonic point. Thus, if such a point is reached, the shock structure is drastically modified, and the flow becomes turbulent.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4514-4519 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 526 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society.
Keywords
- relativistic processes
- shock waves