Diffusive Shock Acceleration Simulations: Comparison with Particle Methods and Bow Shock Measurements

Abstract

Direct comparisons of diffusive particle acceleration numerical simulations have been made against Monte Carlo and hybrid plasma simulations by Ellison {\it et. al.} (1993) and against observations at the earth's bow shock presented by Ellison {\it et. al.} (1990). Toward this end we have introduced a new numerical scheme for injection of cosmic-ray particles out of the thermal plasma, modeled by way of the diffusive scattering process itself; that is, the diffusion and acceleration across the shock front of particles out of the suprathermal tail of the Maxwellian distribution. We find that all of these computational methods (diffusion-advection, two-fluid, Monte Carlo and hybrid) are in substantial agreement on the issues they can simultaneously address, so that the essential physics of diffusive particle acceleration is adequately contained within each. This is despite the fact that each makes what appear to be very different assumptions or approximations.