Relation of magnetic field line reconnection and unstable nongyrotropic particle distributions

Abstract

At plasma boundaries particle orbits are rather complicated. In particular this is true for a shared magnetic field configuration, that is at reconnection boundaries. In a modified way we rederive the Harris distribution at such a boundary and discuss its nongyrotropic nature. We present a detailed study of the stability of these nongyrotropic distributions. Particle and field pertubations are described by a superposition of modes different scales and spatial fileamentations. Excitation of unstable waves occurs at a sheet thickness in the order of the particles thermal gyroradius. The structure of the equations imply a further fileamentation of the normal and parallel components of the magnetic field.