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Phase-space description of plasma waves. Part 1. Linear theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

T. Biro
Affiliation:
Swedish Institute of Space Physics, University of Umeå, S-901 87 UMEÅ, Sweden
K. Rönnmark
Affiliation:
Swedish Institute of Space Physics, University of Umeå, S-901 87 UMEÅ, Sweden

Abstract

We develop an (r, k) phase-space description of waves in plasmas by introducing Gaussian window functions to separate short-scale oscillations from long-scale modulations of the wave fields and variations in the plasma parameters. To obtain a wave equation that unambiguously separates conservative dynamics from dissipation in an inhomogeneous and time-varying background plasma, we first discuss the proper form of the current response function. In analogy with the particle distribution function f(v, r, t), we introduce a wave density N(k, r, t) on phase space. This function is proved to satisfy a simple continuity equation. Dissipation is also included, and this allows us to describe the damping or growth of wave density along rays. Problems involving geometric optics of continuous media often appear simpler when viewed in phase space, since the flow of N in phase space is incompressible.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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