Time evolution of plane, cosmic-ray modified shocks has been simulated numerically for the case with parallel magnetic fields. Computations were done in a “three-fluid” dynamical model incorporating cosmic-ray and Alfvén-wave energy transport equations. Nonlinear feedback from the cosmic rays and Alfvén waves is included in the equation of motion for the underlying plasma, as is the finite propagation speed and energy dissipation of the Alfvén waves. Exploratory results confirm earlier, steady state analyses that found these Alfvén transport effects to be potentially important when the upstream Alfvén speed and gas sound speeds are comparable. As noted earlier, Alfvén transport effects tend to reduce the transfer of energy through a shock from gas to energetic particles. These studies show as well that the timescale for modification of the shock is altered in nonlinear ways. It is clear, however, that the consequences of Alfvén transport are strongly model dependent and that both advection of cosmic rays by the waves and dissipation of wave energy in the plasma will be important to model correctly when quantitative results are needed. Comparison is made between simulations based on a constant diffusion coefficient and more realistic diffusion models allowing the diffusion coefficient to vary in response to changes in Alfvén wave intensity. No really substantive differences were found between them.

Subject headings: cosmic rays — MHD — shock waves