Vlasov-Maxwell plasma equilibria with temperature and density gradients: Weak inhomogeneity limit

Stationary self-consistent solutions of the Vlasov-Maxwell system in a magnetized plasma (so called Vlasov equilibria) with both density and temperature gradients are investigated analytically in the limit of weak inhomogeneities. These solutions provide a simple class of self-consistent equilibria that can be used as a convenient starting point for numerical studies such as the study of the effects of temperature gradient and temperature anisotropy on the nonlinear development of reconnection instabilities in a kinetic plasma regime. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.