Collisional statistical model for superstrong plasma turbulence

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Abstract
Recent turbulent beam–plasma experiments revealed that the probability distribution function for the Langmuir electric fields P(E) is not a power law in E, contrary to many predictions. Instead, P(E) ∝ exp (−E2). It is hypothesized that for turbulence that has W=〈E2〉/4πnT∼1 (‘‘superstrong’’ regime) such turbulence contains self‐compressed zones of high field (‘‘cavitons’’) that can collide faster than they decay. If so, simple Markovian collisions yield the observed P(E) if decay is sufficiently slow. This implies that cavitons are much longer lived than Hamiltonian theory predicts. A break in P(E) at high E is predicted and several experiments in the superstrong regime are suggested to test these ideas.