INVESTIGATION OF THE DYNAMICS OF IONIZED MEDIA (PLASMAS), PARTS I AND II,

Abstract

A statistical mechanical theory of fields is developed. Since a field has an infinite number of degrees of freedom, it is natural and convenient to use functional methods for its description. The most general statistical mechanical state for a field is represented by a distribution functional which satisfies a functional differential equation analogous to the Liouville equation. The functional Fourier transform (characteristic functional) is introduced and its properties are studied. Multitime functionals and various reduced distribution functions are also discussed. The formalism is applied to the free electromagnetic fields as well as to a system of charged particles (plasma) interacting via the electromagnetic field. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0692744

Entities

People

  • Wesley E. Brittin
  • Willard R. Chappell

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Differential Equations
  • Distribution Functions
  • Dynamics
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Equations
  • Liouville Equation
  • Mathematics
  • Particles

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Plasma Physics.