Features of the non-plane-polarized interaction of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shock waves (Q5931509)

The authors give a numerical solution of the problem of interaction of two non-plane magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shock waves. The non-plane polarization plane MHD shock waves collide at an arbitrary non-zero angle in the presence of an arbitrary magnetic field. This problem describes the interaction of solar wind with Earth's bow shock wave. The self-similar solution of the problem includes a fast shock waves or a centered rarefaction wave, Alfvén discontinuity, a slow shock wave or centered rarefaction wave, and a contact discontinuity behind the slow wave. To determine six conditions on contact discontinuities, the authors employ Newton's method. The calculations are carried out for a wide range of key parameters: Alfvén number, shock wave Mach number, the angles between velocity and magnetic field, and the ratio of the \(z\)th component of magnetic fields to the magnitude of magnetic field. When the key parameters of the problem vary continuously, sudden changes in flow pattern characteristics are not found, but in the flow there are two different Alfvén discontinuities with circular polarization. The velocity of the gas depends significantly on the inclination of magnetic field.