Energies of ultrarelativistic electrons produced by an oblique shock wave

Production of ultrarelativistic electrons in an oblique magnetosonic shock wave is studied theoretically and numerically. First, the structure of the oblique shock wave is analytically discussed on the basis of a relativistic, two-fluid model. Then, by use of the field strengths thus obtained, the maximum energy of accelerated electrons is calculated as a function of the propagation speed and angle of the shock wave. Next, a one-dimensional, relativistic, electromagnetic, particle simulation code is used to further investigate the shock propagation and associated electron acceleration. Lorentz factors of accelerated electrons can exceed 100. Detailed comparisons are made between the theoretically predicted field strengths and electron energy and those obtained by the simulations. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(00)04210-5].