Double-layer shocks in a magnetized quantum plasma

The formation of small but finite amplitude electrostatic shocks in the propagation of quantum ion-acoustic waves obliquely to an external magnetic field is reported in a quantum electron-positron-ion plasma. Such shocks are seen to have double-layer (DL) structures composed of the compressive and accompanying rarefactive slow-wave fronts. Existence of such DL shocks depends critically on the quantum coupling parameter H associated with the Bohm potential and the positron to electron density ratio δ . The profiles may, however, steepen initially and reach a steady state with a number of solitary waves in front of the shocks. Such novel DL shocks could be a good candidate for particle acceleration in intense laser-solid density plasma interaction experiments as well as in compact astrophysical objects, e.g., magnetized white dwarfs.