NONDIAGONAL ION PRESSURE IN NEARLY-PERPENDICULAR COLLISIONLESS SHOCKS

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 tenser. 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.