NON-LINEARIZED THEORY OF TRANSVERSE PLASMA OSCILLATIONS

Abstract

Exact, non-linearized solutions of the Vlasov equation for a homogeneous, neutral plasma with infinitely heavy ions in the presence of transverse electromagnetic waves are found. The dispersion relation is developed both for stationary waves and for the general initial value problem. For stationary waves the result is analogous to that obtained by Van Kampen in his linearized treatment of the longitudinal plasma oscillations. The initably insignificant in the transverse case. It is proved that no growing wave solutions exist. A distribution function which is consistent with a single wave packet solution of the wave equation, and which propagates subject to an arbitrary root of the dispersion relation, is constructed. The intimate relationship between the initial electron distribution function and the dispersion relations al value problem approach yields results similar to those of Landau but the damping term is probably insignificant in the transverse case. It is proved that no growing wave solutions exist. A distribution function which is consistent with a single wave packet solution of the wave equation, and which propagates subject to an arbitrary root of the dispersion relation, is constructed. The intimate relationship between the initial electron distribution function and the dispersion relations is discussed. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0265536

Entities

People

  • Jacob Enoch

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Dispersion Relations
  • Dispersions
  • Distribution Functions
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Oscillation
  • Plasma Oscillation
  • Stationary
  • Transverse
  • Wave Equations
  • Wave Packets

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics