Structure of a Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Wave in a Plasma of Infinite Conductivity

The structure of a magnetohydrodynamic perpendicular shock wave (magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of propagation) in a plasma of infinite conductivity has been analyzed. For the nonmagnetic case, the width of the shock front is found to be larger than in a non-ionized gas. Further, the width of the shock (in terms of mean free path within the shock) as a function of the shock strength as determined from the Stokes-Navier equations (which applies to weak shocks) is found to join smoothly at $M\simeq 1.3$ with the same function as derived from the Mott-Smith analysis (which applies to strong shocks). The magnetic field tends to make the shock front narrower for shocks of moderate strength. It does not have appreciable effect for strong shocks.