Noble, Adam and Gratus, Jonathan and Burton, David and Jaroszynski, Dino (2013) A kinetic model of radiating electrons. Journal of Mathematical Physics, 54 (4): 043101. ISSN 0022-2488
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Abstract
A kinetic theory is developed to describe radiating electrons whose motion is governed by the Lorentz-Dirac equation. This gives rise to a generalized Vlasov equation coupled to an equation for the evolution of the physical submanifold of phase space. The pathological solutions of the $1$-particle theory may be removed by expanding the latter equation in powers of $\tau := q^2/ 6\pi m$. The radiation-induced change in entropy is explored, and its physical origin is discussed. As a simple demonstration of the theory, the radiative damping rate of longitudinal plasma waves is calculated.