Turbulence-induced magnetic fields in shock precursors

Abstract

Galactic cosmic rays are believed to be mostly accelerated at supernova shocks. However, the interstellar magnetic field is too weak to efficiently accelerate galactic cosmic rays up to the highest energies, i.e. 1015 eV. A stronger magnetic field in the pre-shock region could provide the efficiency required. Bell's cosmic ray non-resonant streaming instability has been claimed to be responsible for the amplification of precursor magnetic fields. However, an alternative mechanism has been proposed in which the cosmic ray pressure gradient forms the shock precursor and drives turbulence, amplifying the magnetic field via the small-scale dynamo. Key ingredients for the mechanism to operate are the inhomogeneities present in the interstellar medium. These inhomogeneities are the consequence of turbulence. In this work we explore the magnetic field amplification in different interstellar medium conditions through 3D magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations.