Simple waves in relativistic fluids

Abstract

We consider the Riemann problem for relativistic flows of polytropic fluids and find relations for the flow characteristics. Evolution of physical quantities take especially simple form for the case of cold magnetized plasmas. We find exact, explicit analytical solutions for one dimensional expansion of magnetized plasma into vacuum, valid for arbitrary magnetization. We also consider expansion into cold unmagnetized external medium both for stationary initial conditions and for initially moving plasma, as well as reflection of rarefaction wave from a wall. We also find self-similar structure of three-dimensional magnetized outflows into vacuum, valid close to the plasma-vacuum interface. The key results of this work, the self-similar solutions, were incorporated post-initial submission into appendices of the published version of Granot et al. (2010).