Author ORCID Identifier
http://orcid.org/0009-0001-8573-1800
Date of Award
Spring 5-25-2026
Document Type
Thesis (Undergraduate)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
First Advisor
Yi-Hsin Liu
Second Advisor
Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil
Third Advisor
Jens Mahlmann
Abstract
We present fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations demonstrating qualitative effects of binary Coulomb collisions on fast magnetosonic shocks. We find that with a sufficiently high collisional frequency, shock rippling and reformation can be inhibited, creating stationary, laminar shocks. We see that collisions rapidly bring the reflected population into equilibrium with the upstream population, adding credibility to existing theories that the separation of these two populations create these dynamical behaviors around the shock transition region. We also see that Ohmic heating from Coulomb collisions can suppress instabilities.
Recommended Citation
Farnell, Bo, "Effects of Coulomb Collisions on the Structures of Fast Magnetosonic Shocks" (2026). Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Senior Theses. 2.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/physics_senior_theses/2
Included in
Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing Commons, Plasma and Beam Physics Commons, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics Commons, The Sun and the Solar System Commons
