Geometrical description of non-linear electrostatic oscillations in relativistic thermal plasmas.

Burton, David A. and Noble, Adam (2008) Geometrical description of non-linear electrostatic oscillations in relativistic thermal plasmas. arxiv.org. (Unpublished)

Abstract

We develop a method for investigating the relationship between the shape of a 1-particle distribution and non-linear electrostatic oscillations in a collisionless plasma, incorporating transverse thermal motion. A general expression is found for the maximum sustainable electric field, and is evaluated for a particular highly anisotropic distribution.