Magnetic field amplification by Weibel instability at planetary high Mach-number shocks

High-Mach-number collisionless shocks are found in planetary systems as well as supernova remnants. These shocks are often associated with strong magnetic fields and it is still not well understood how magnetic fields are amplified at scales of the shock thickness. Here we use a set of large-scale Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations of non-relativistic perpendicular shocks in the high Mach number regime to clarify this issue. High Mach number shocks are Weibel-instability mediated. We present the evidence that the magnetic field is amplified in the shock transition due to the Weibel instability and the normalized magnetic field strength strongly correlates with the Alfvénic Mach number. We propose a new explanation for this correlation. PIC simulation results can explain in-situ magnetic field measurements of Saturn's bow shock performed by the Cassini spacecraft.