Are grb shocks mediated by the weibel instability?

Dec, 2005
13 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 647 (2006) 1250-1254
e-Print:

Citations per year

2006201120162021202401234567
Abstract: (arXiv)
It is estimated that the Weibel instability is not generally an effective mechanism for generating ultrarelativistic astrophysical shocks. Even if the upstream magnetic field is as low as in the interstellar medium, the shock is mediated not by the Weibel instability but by the Larmor rotation of protons in the background magnetic field. Future simulations should be able to verify or falsify our conclusion.
  • gamma rays: bursts
  • instabilities
  • magnetic fields
  • plasmas
  • shock waves