Open AccessVlasov?Maxwell Numerical Simulations of Large Amplitude Langmuir Wave Dynamics
Author(s) -
Francesco Califano,
M. Lontano
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
physica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.415
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1402-4896
pISSN - 0031-8949
DOI - 10.1238/physica.topical.075a00208
Subject(s) - physics , vlasov equation , maxwell's equations , plasma , plasma oscillation , electron , nonlinear system , distribution function , debye , amplitude , maxwell–boltzmann distribution , plasma modeling , debye length , electric field , quantum electrodynamics , classical mechanics , computational physics , quantum mechanics
The classical problem of the nonlinear dynamics of one dimensional large Langmuir waves is investigated numerically in the framework of a kinetic model based on the Vlasov equations for plasma electrons and ions, coupled with the Maxwell equations. The field and plasma quantities are followed in time starting from a given spatial electric field distribution with typical scalelength much larger than the Debye length. The temporal evolution of the particle distribution functions and of its moments are investigated during the relaxation of the initial perturbation or under the action of an externally applied oscillating field. The transformation of ordered energy into electron temperature is observed. The frequency spectra of the electron and ion fluctuations are calculated and harmonic generation is studied