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Dispersion in an intrinsically relativistic, one-dimensional, strongly magnetized pair plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 1999

D. B. MELROSE ,
M. E. GEDALIN ,
M. P. KENNETT  and
C. S. FLETCHER
D. B. MELROSE
Affiliation:
Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
M. E. GEDALIN
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
M. P. KENNETT
Affiliation:
Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
C. S. FLETCHER
Affiliation:
Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Department of Physics, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6907, Australia
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Abstract

The properties of a relativistic plasma dispersion function (RPDF) for an intrinsically extremely relativist, strongly magnetized, one-dimensional, electron–positron plasma are discussed in detail. For a plasma with a mean Lorentz factor 〈γ〉 [Gt ] 1 in its rest frame, the RPDF has a large peak >〈γ〉 at a phase speed a fraction of order 1/〈γ〉 below the speed of light, and the asymptotic value (infinite phase speed) is 〈γ−3〉 ∼ 1/〈γ〉. These features are not particularly sensitive to the choice of distribution function. The RPDF is used to discuss the properties of waves in such plasmas. Particular points discussed are the implications of the RPDF for the maximum frequency for parallel Langmuir waves, and for the reconnection between the Langmuir mode and the Alfvén mode.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 62 , Issue 2 , August 1999 , pp. 233 - 248
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press

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