Collisionless shocks in partly ionized plasma with cosmic rays: microphysics of non-thermal components. (arXiv:1304.0998v1 [astro-ph.HE])

Collisionless shocks in partly ionized plasma with cosmic rays: microphysics of non-thermal components. (arXiv:1304.0998v1 [astro-ph.HE]):
In this review we discuss some observational aspects and theoretical models
of astrophysical collisionless shocks in partly ionized plasma with the
presence of non-thermal components. A specific feature of fast strong
collisionless shocks is their ability to accelerate energetic particles that
can modify the shock upstream flow and form the shock precursors. We discuss
the effects of energetic particle acceleration and associated magnetic field
amplification and decay in the extended shock precursors on the line and
continuum multi-wavelength emission spectra of the shocks. Both Balmer-type and
radiative astrophysical shocks are discussed in connection to supernova
remnants interacting with partially neutral clouds. Quantitative models
described in the review predict a number of observable line-like emission
features that can be used to reveal the physical state of the matter in the
shock precursors and the character of nonthermal processes in the shocks.
Implications of recent progress of gamma-ray observations of supernova remnants
in molecular clouds are highlighted.