Kinetic Equation for an Inhomogeneous Plasma far from Equilibrium

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A kinetic equation for a nonuniform plasma is derived from the Liouville equation by a general diagram technique. It describes the evolution of a small spatial inhomogeneity in a plasma whose velocity distribution is far from equilibrium (and hence time‐dependent). The equation is valid for short and long times, within the ring approximation. Its explicit form is obtained by the exact closed solution of a singular integral equation. The kinetic equation is non‐Markoffian and, contrary to the corresponding homogeneous equation, keeps a trace of this character even in the limit of long times. Only when the velocity distribution and the two‐body correlation function reach thermal equilibrium does the equation reduce to a Markoffian limit. The latter is identical with the kinetic equation derived earlier by Guernsey. The treatment of unstable inhomogeneous plasmas is briefly indicated.