Non‐diagonal ion pressure in nearly‐perpendicular collisionless shocks

Abstract
We study the influence of the gyrophase‐bunched ions on the tensorial structure of the ion pressure in the front of a nearly‐perpendicular supercritical shock. Presence of reflected ions results in the appearance of significant off‐diagonal elements of the pressure tensor. Behavior of the pressure tensor in the foot is analyzed within the model of the specular reflection of ions. The off‐diagonal elements of the pressure tensor are directly related to the potential electric field in the shock front and can substantially contribute to the cross‐shock potential.