English

Modelling collisions in a relativistic plasma

Plasma Physics 2009-10-23 v1

Abstract

Generalising the work of Lenard and Bernstein, we introduce a new, fully relativistic model to describe collisional plasmas. Like the Fokker-Planck operator, this equation represents velocity diffusion and conserves particle number. However, unlike the Fokker-Planck operator it is linear in the distribution function, and so more amenable to a fluid treatment. By taking moments, we derive a new fluid model, and demonstrate the damping effects of collisions on Langmuir waves.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0910.4368,
  title  = {Modelling collisions in a relativistic plasma},
  author = {Adam Noble and David Burton},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0910.4368},
  year   = {2009}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T14:02:15.884Z