Transverse Resistive Shock Waves

The existence and structure of transverse resistive shock waves is discussed within the framework of the two-fluid theory. The analysis incorporates the effects of electron inertia, finite pressure, charge separation, and electrical resistivity. Critical Mach numbers above which resistive shock waves cannot exist are obtained as functions of the fluid-to-magnetic pressure ratio. These critical Mach numbers are not related to the critical Mach numbers obtained in the cold plasma theory. It is shown that the wavelength of the downstream oscillations can be considerably different from that predicted by cold plasma theory, especially in the vicinity of the critical Mach number. Where possible, comparison is made with the results obtained from cold plasma theory.