Rankine–Hugoniot Shock Conditions for Space and Astrophysical Plasmas Described by Kappa Distributions

This paper provides the set of Rankine–Hugoniot (R–H) jump conditions for shocks in space and astrophysical plasmas described by kappa, distributions. The characteristic result is the development of a new R–H condition that transforms the values of kappa upstream and downstream the shock. The kappa index parameterizes and labels kappa distributions, and it is necessary for characterizing the thermodynamics of space plasmas. This first approach is restricted to non-magnetized plasmas, and the whole achievement is derived by following first principles of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. The results show that, depending on the shock strength, the kappa indices across the shock may decrease or increase, indicating cases of shock acceleration or deceleration, respectively.