Rotational discontinuities in anisotropic plasmas

The kinetic structure of rotational discontinuities (RDs) in anisotropic plasmas with T⟂/T‖ > 1 is investigated by using a one‐dimensional electromagnetic hybrid code. To form the RD, a new approach is used where the plasma is injected from one boundary and reflected from the other, resulting in the generation of a traveling fast shock and an RD. Unlike the previously used methods, no a priori assumptions are made regarding the initial structure (i.e. width or sense of rotation) of the rotational discontinuity. The results show that across the RD both the magnetic field strength and direction, as well as the plasma density change. Given that such a change can also be associated with an intermediate shock, the Rankine‐Hugoniot relations are used to confirm that the observed structures are indeed RDs. is found that the thickness of RDs is a few ion inertial lengths and is independent of the rotation angle. Also, the preferred sense of rotation is in the electron sense; however, RDs with a rotation angle larger than 180° are found to be unstable, changing their rotation to a stable ion sense.