The formation of electrostatic shocks in quantum plasmas with relativistically degenerate electrons

The formation of electrostatic shocks in a super-dense plasma composed of relativistically degenerate electrons and fully ionized ions is theoretically investigated. We find analytic solutions in the form of simple waves and derive expressions for shock speeds in limiting cases. The theory has applications to large-amplitude acoustic waves excited in white dwarf stars due to dramatic events such as collision with other astrophysical bodies or supernova explosions.