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Alternative representation of the dielectric tensor for a relativistic magnetized plasma in thermal equilibrium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

Peter H. Yoon
Affiliation:
Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, U.S.A.
Ronald C. Davidson
Affiliation:
Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, U.S.A.

Abstract

An alternative representation of the dielectric tensor εij(k, ω) for a relativistic magnetized plasma in thermal equilibrium is presented. This representation involves an infinite series expansion in powers of , as well as an asymptotic expansion for large Here ωc = eB0/mc is the nonrelativistic cyclotron frequency, k⊥ is the wavenumber perpendicular to the magnetic field B0êz, and α is the dimensionless parameter defined by α = mc2/KBT. The present work generalizes Shkarofsky's (1966) representation. Moreover, unlike Trubnikov's (1958) formal result, in which the k and kz dependences of εij(k, ω) are inexorably coupled, the present representation naturally separates the k⊥ and kz dependences of εij(k, ω). As an application, the general expression is simplified for the case of a weakly relativistic plasma, and the dispersion relation is obtained for electromagnetic waves, including first-order relativistic effects. The method developed in this paper can be used for other non-thermal distributions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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