Bio

Zheng Gong is a postdoctoral researcher in the Mechanical Engineering Department. His research focuses on the theoretical and computational study of high-energy density plasma. Before joining Stanford, Zheng received his PhD degree from Peking University and then worked as a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics.

Professional Education

  • PhD, Peking University, Nuclear Technology (2020)
  • BS, Peking University, Physics (2015)

Stanford Advisors

Contact

  • Academic
    University - Scholar Department: Mechanical Engineering Position: Postdoctoral Scholar

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 3030

Links

All Publications

  • Electron Slingshot Acceleration in Relativistic Preturbulent Shocks Explored via Emitted Photon Polarization PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS Gong, Z., Shen, X., Hatsagortsyan, K. Z., Keitel, C. H. 2023; 131 (22): 225101

    Abstract

    Transient electron dynamics near the interface of counterstreaming plasmas at the onset of a relativistic collisionless shock (RCS) is investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. We identify a slingshotlike injection process induced by the drifting electric field sustained by the flowing focus of backward-moving electrons, which is distinct from the well-known stochastic acceleration. The flowing focus signifies the plasma kinetic transition from a preturbulent laminar motion to a chaotic turbulence. We find a characteristic correlation between the electron dynamics in the slingshot acceleration and the photon emission features. In particular, the integrated radiation from the RCS exhibits a counterintuitive nonmonotonic dependence of the photon polarization degree on the photon energy, which originates from a polarization degradation of relatively high-energy photons emitted by the slingshot-injected electrons. Our results demonstrate the potential of photon polarization as an essential information source in exploring intricate transient dynamics in RCSs with relevance for Earth-based plasma and astrophysical scenarios.

    View details for DOI 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.225101

    View details for Web of Science ID 001157538000010

    View details for PubMedID 38101383