| Abstract: | We present results of analytical studies and 2D3V PIC simulations of electron-positron plasma cloud collisions. We concentrate on the problem of quasi-static magnetic field generation. It is shown from linear theory, using relativistic two-fluid equations for electron-positron plasmas, that the generation of a quasi-static magnetic field can be associated with the counter-streaming instability. A two-dimensional relativistic particle simulation provides good agreement with the above linear theory and that, in the nonlinear stage of the instability, about 5.3% of the initial plasma flow energy can be converted to magnetic field energy. It is also shown from the simulation that the quasi-static magnetic field undergoes a collision-less change of structure, leading to large scale, long living structures and the production of high-energy particles. These processes may be important for understanding of production of high-energy particles in the region where two pulsar winds collide. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
