Dynamics of Ionizing Shock Waves: Shocks in Transverse Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Shock waves propagating into a nonionized neutral gas and ionizing it are considered. A transverse magnetic field is assumed. Using a simple ionization model, it is found that the electric field ahead of the shock may not be arbitrarily imposed, but is determined by the shock structure. This fact was already pointed out by Lyubimov; this paper extends Lyubimov's results and puts them on a more convincing mathematical basis. The piston problem is solved for these shocks; it is found that for a given ionization temperature these shocks are pure gas dynamic shocks at low piston speeds, and approach classical hydromagnetic perpendicular shocks at high piston speeds.