Particle acceleration along magnetic fields as the origin of ear-like structures in supernova remnants

ABSTRACT The origin of ear-like structures with two opposite lobes extending from the shell of supernova remnants (SNRs) remains a subject of active debate, with proposed mechanisms ranging from jet-driven explosions to interactions with bipolar circumstellar media. We present a novel investigation using particle-in-cell simulations to examine the dynamics of a spherical ejecta in magnetized media, revealing a different formation mechanism for these structures. Our results demonstrate that particle acceleration is significantly enhanced along the magnetic-field direction, producing substantial modifications to shock morphology. These effects naturally generate elongated protrusions bearing a remarkable similarity to the observed SNR ear structures. This magnetic alignment scenario represents a distinct mechanism from the existing jet-based and circumstellar interaction models. Our findings suggest that magnetic field orientation may serve as a crucial diagnostic for distinguishing between different ear formation mechanisms in SNRs.