Numerical Simulation Study for Multiple Shocks

The multiple shocks, which includes the intermediate shock wave, is studied by means of a one-dimensional hybrid particle code. Four cases are simulated, which can be classified into two types: (1) double shock composed of the fast and intermediate shock waves (Cases Aand C) (2) triple shock composed of the fast, intermediate, and slow shock waves (Cases Band D). The numerical results show that the multiple shocks are unstable, and they tend to-evolve to the rotational discontinuity of the magnetic flow and MHD waves. That the left hand circular polarized wave gradually develop in the upstream region of the shock is another important feature of the results. In this paper, possible cause, which leads to instability of the multiple shocks is discussed briefly.