Re-acceleration of Nonthermal Particles at Weak Cosmological Shock Waves

Shock waves form in the intergalactic medium as a consequence of accretion, merger, and turbulent motion during the structure formation of the universe. They not only heat gas but also govern non-thermal processes through the acceleration of cosmic rays (CRs), production of magnetic fields, and generation of vorticity. We examine diffusive shock acceleration of the pre-existing as well as freshly injected populations of nonthermal, CR particles at weak cosmological shocks. Since the injection is extremely inefficient at weak shocks, the pre-existing CR population dominates over the injected population. If the pressure due to pre-existing CR protons is about 5 % of the gas thermal pressure in the upstream flow, the downstream CR pressure can absorb typically a few to 10 % of the shock ram pressure at shocks with the Mach number M<3. Yet, the re-acceleration of CR electrons can result in a substantial synchrotron emission behind the shock. The implication of our findings for observed bright radio relics is discussed.