Particle accelerations in two colliding plasma shock waves

A kinetic model of the head-on collision of two magnetized plasma shocks is analyzed theoretically and with numerical calculations. Three-dimensional electromagnetic fields can be modeled as two magnetic fields that intersect at an arbitrary angle; such interaction plays an important role as the asymmetric collision of two shocks. The rate of increase of the attainable energy gain and the aspect ratio of an accelerating test particle are derived from theoretical analysis of the relativistic equations of motion. If the magnetic field has any curvature, a transverse magnetic field is generated that crosses the magnetic reconnection layer. The trajectory of the accelerating particle is bent by this magnetic field, producing the reduction of energy gain as a result.