Quantum Plasmadynamics: Magnetized Plasmas - Paperback

by Donald Melrose (Author)

Quantum Plasmadynamics is a synthesis of the kinetic theory of plasmas and quantum electrodynamics (QED). In this volume, the approach applied to unmagnetized plasmas in volume 1 is generalized to magnetized plasmas. First, a covariant version of nonquantum kinetic theory is formulated for single-particle (emission and scattering) processes and the collective-medium response. The relativistic quantum treatment is based on solutions of Dirac's equation for an electron in a magnetostatic field, and single-particle processes are treated using a magnetized version of QED. The response of an electron gas is derived by generalizing the derivation of the response of the magnetized vacuum.

Back Jacket

The covariant (4-tensor) theory for relativistic quantum plasmas presented in the first volume is generalized to magnetized plasma in this second volume. The first four chapters are concerned with classical theory, including covariant forms of cold-plasma, MHD and kinetic theory and the theory of gyromagnetic emission. The response 4-tensor for an arbitrary distribution is evaluated, using both the forward-scattering and Vlasov methods, applied to a relativistic thermal distribution and used to discuss wave dispersion in relativistic magnetized plasmas. In the second half of the book, solutions of Dirac's equation for a magnetized electron are used to develop a magnetized version of QED. This form of QED is applied to gyromagnetic processes, the response of the magnetized vacuum and the response of a magnetized electron gas. The theory has a potentially wide range of applications, such as super-strong magnetic fields in pulsars, high-powered lasers and spin-dependence in a laboratory electron gas.

Author Biography

Following completion of his doctoral thesis in theoretical particle physics at Oxford University in 1965, Don Melrose changed his research interests to plasma astrophysics. In 1969, after post-doctoral appointments in the UK and the USA, he returned to Australia to the Australian National University. He eventually left to take his current appointment as Professor of Physics (Theoretical) at the University of Sydney in 1979. He made important contributions to the theory of coherent emission processes in astrophysics: plasma emission in solar radio bursts, electron cyclotron maser emission and pulsar radio emission. His current interests include pulsars, quantum plasmas and solar flares.