Laboratory Study of Microphysics in Collisionless, Quasi-Perpendicular Shock Formation

Magnetized, collisionless shocks are fundamental to many astrophysical phenomena, from supernova remnants to planetary bow shocks. Despite their widespread observation, key questions remain regarding the microphysical processes such as energy dissipation, particle acceleration, and non-stationary effects. Recent laboratory platforms have enabled the controlled generation of high-Mach number shocks, offering new insights into these complex systems.

We present results from a recent experiment conducted at the Omega laser facility studying the dynamics of quasi-perpendicular shock formation. A super-critical (M_A > 10) piston plasma expands into a preformed, magnetized plasma at larger magnetic field than previously studied (18 T). This interaction generates a fully formed shock that we investigate with optical Thomson scattering and proton radiography. Our measurements reveal a distinctly separated piston–shock structure, with significant compression of the upstream ambient plasma. The experimental results are complimented by particle-in-cell simulation and provide a new window into the plasma dynamics characteristic of astrophysical shocks.