Role of overshoots in the formation of the downstream distribution of adiabatic electrons

We analyze the influence of the magnetic overshoot on the downstream electr on distributions formed as a result of the collisionless adiabatic motion o f the electrons in the quasi-stationary electric held in shock front. We sh ow that a substantial overshoot can result in a significant distortion of t he downstream distribution due to cutting out the electrons with high perpe ndicular velocities. We calculate numerically the electron distribution in the v(parallel to) - v(perpendicular to) plane, as well as expected cuts th rough the distribution depending on the angle with respect to the magnetic field direction, also taking into account the averaging procedure of the IS EE type apparatus. These distorted distributions and cuts should be clearly observed in the downstream region just behind the shock transition layer. Absence of such observations would indicate that the above picture of adiab atic electron dynamics in the static held is significantly incomplete, and estimates based on these assumptions should be considered with caution.