FLASH simulations that model laser-driven plasma experiments aiming to study second order Fermi acceleration at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research

Non-thermal particles are common in the Universe and are observed in solar winds, supernova remnants, gamma ray bursts, and elsewhere. One of the methods used to explain how the particles are accelerated is the second order Fermi mechanism. While less efficient than diffusive shock acceleration, the ubiquitous nature of magnetized turbulence makes second order Fermi an important process. Magnetized turbulence can cause stochastic particle acceleration to non-thermal velocities, with the Hillas limit typically being used as the upper bound on such acceleration. With the combination of high-powered laser systems and particle accelerators it is possible to use magnetohydrodynamical scaling to understand this astrophysical phenomenon. We present FLASH MHD simulations used to interpret laser-driven plasma experiments that aim to reproduce second order Fermi acceleration at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research. The experiments aim to demonstrate the second order Fermi acceleration process in stochastic magnetic fields. The simulations results are compared to the experimental measurements in an attempt to characterize the turbulent magnetized plasma responsible for the non-thermal particle acceleration.