No Arabic abstract
A nonlinear kinetic equation for nonrelativistic quantum plasma with electromagnetic interaction of particles is obtained in the Hartrees mean-field approximation. It is cast in a convenient form of Vlasov-Boltzmann-type equation with quantum interference integral, that allows for relatively straightforward modification of existing classical Vlasov codes to incorporate quantum effects (quantum statistics and quantum interference of overlapping particles wave functions), without changing the bulk of the codes. Such modification (upgrade) of existing Vlasov codes may provide a direct and effective path to numerical simulations of nonlinear electrostatic and electromagnetic phenomena in quantum plasmas, especially of processes where kinetic effects are important (e.g., modulational interactions and stimulated scattering phenomena involving plasma modes at short wavelengths or high-order kinetic modes, dynamical screening and interaction of charges in quantum plasma, etc.) Moreover, numerical approaches involving such modified Vlasov codes would provide a useful basis for theoretical analyses of quantum plasmas, as quantum and classical effects can be easily separated there.
A plasma becomes quantum when the quantum nature of its particles significantly affects its macroscopic properties. To answer the question of when the collective quantum plasma effects are important, a proper description of such effects is necessary. We consider here the most common methods of description of quantum plasma, along with the related assumptions and applicability limits. In particular, we analyze in detail the hydrodynamic description of quantum plasma, as well as discuss some kinetic features of analytic properties of linear dielectric response function in quantum plasma. We point out the most important, in our view, fundamental problems occurring already in the linear approximation and requiring further investigation. (submitted to Physics-Uspekhi)
Although the energies associated with nuclear reactions are due primarily to interactions involving nuclear forces, the rates and probabilities associated with those reactions are effectively governed by electromagnetic forces. Charges in the local environment can modulate the Coulomb barrier, and thereby change the rates of nuclear processes. Experiments are presented in which low-temperature electrons are attached to high-density rotating neutrals to form negative ions. The steady-state quiescent rotating plasma generated here lends itself to first prove the principle that low temperature systems can yield MeV fusion particles. It allows the use of high density of neutrals interacting with the wall to yield gain greater than unity. It also demonstrates that instabilities can be avoided with high neutral densities. Collective dynamic interactions within this steady-state quiescent plasma result in an arrangement of negative charges that lowers the effective Coulomb barrier to nuclear reactions at a solid wall of reactants. MeV alpha particles are synchronously observed with externally imposed pulses as evidence of fusion being enabled by Coulomb fields. Impacts on fusion, the source of energy in the universe, will be discussed.
We present a new methodology for calculating the electromagnetic radiation from accelerated charged particles. Our formulation --- the `endpoint formulation --- combines numerous results developed in the literature in relation to radiation arising from particle acceleration using a complete, and completely general, treatment. We do this by describing particle motion via a series of discrete, instantaneous acceleration events, or `endpoints, with each such event being treated as a source of emission. This method implicitly allows for particle creation/destruction, and is suited to direct numerical implementation in either the time- or frequency-domains. In this paper, we demonstrate the complete generality of our method for calculating the radiated field from charged particle acceleration, and show how it reduces to the classical named radiation processes such as synchrotron, Tamms description of Vavilov-Cherenkov, and transition radiation under appropriate limits. Using this formulation, we are immediately able to answer outstanding questions regarding the phenomenology of radio emission from ultra-high-energy particle interactions in both the Earths atmosphere and the Moon. In particular, our formulation makes it apparent that the dominant emission component of the Askaryan Effect (coherent radio-wave radiation from high-energy particle cascades in dense media) comes from coherent `bremsstrahlung from particle acceleration, rather than coherent Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation.
We compare, in an extensive and systematic way, linear theory results obtained with the hybrid (ion-kinetic and electron-fluid), the gyrokinetic and the fully-kinetic plasma models. We present a test case with parameters that are relevant for solar wind turbulence at small scales, which is a topic now recognized to need a kinetic treatment, to a certain extent. We comment on the comparison of low-frequency single modes (Alfv{e}n/ion-cyclotron, ion-acoustic, and fast modes) for a wide range of propagation angles, and on the overall spectral properties of the linear operators, for quasi-perpendicular propagation. The methodology and the results presented in this paper will be valuable when choosing which model should be used in regimes where the assumptions of each model are not trivially satisfied.
Every second millions of small meteoroids enter the Earths atmosphere producing dense plasmas. Radars easily detect these plasmas and researchers use this data to characterize both the meteoroids and the atmosphere. This paper develops a first-principle kinetic theory describing the behavior of particles, ablated from a fast-moving meteoroid, that colliside with the atmospheric molecules. This theory produces analytic expressions describing the spatial structure and velocity distributions of ions and neutrals near the ablating meteoroid. This analytical model will serve as a basis for a more accurate quantitative interpretation of radar measurements and should help calculate meteoroid and atmosphere parameters from radar head-echo observations.