Quantum Plasmadynamics: Unmagnetized Plasmas

by Donald Melrose

Overview

The idea of synthesizing quantum electrodynamics (QED) and the kinetic theory of plasmas first occurred to me in the early 1970s [1, 2]. The project to do so has been carried out bit by bit over the subsequent years. The name “quantum plasmadynamics” (QPD) is my own jargon [3] for the synthesized theory. Both QED and the kinetic theory of plasmas areconcerned with the int- action between charged particles and the electromagnetic field, but they are radically different in the way the interaction is described. The kinetic theory of plasmas is a collective-medium theory: a plasma is not a collection of - dependent particles in a given electromagnetic field, but a medium in which the particles collectively modify the field, and the field modi?es the par- cles. The charge and current densities associated with the particles are part of a self-consistent field. Conventionally, the kinetic theory of plasmas is a classical theory: the motions of particles are treated using classical dynamics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387739021
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	11/15/2007
Series:	Lecture Notes in Physics , #735
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.04(d)

About the Author

Following completion of his doctoral thesis, in theoretical particle physics at Oxford University in 1965, Don Melrose changed his research interests to plasma astrophysics. After post-doctoral appointments in the UK and the USA he returned to Australia in 1969, to the Australian National University until he took up his current appointment as Professor of Physics (Theoretical) at the University of Sydney in 1979. He made important contributions to the theory of coherent emission processes in astrophysics: plasma emission in solar radio bursts, electron cyclotron maser emission and pulsar radio emission. His current interests include pulsars, quantum plasmas and solar flares.

Table of Contents

Response 4-tensors.- Covariant theory of wave dispersion.- Particle and wave subsystems.- Dispersion in relativistic plasmas.- Classical plasmadynamics.- Quantum field theory.- QPD processes.- Responses of a quantum plasma.- Isotropic quantum plasmas.- Spin, MMR and neutrino plasma.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:
"The ten chapters and 464 pages book is one of Lecture Notes Series of Monographs on Physics and gives the best introduction to the quantum electrodynamics and the kinetic theory relativistic and non-relativistic charged particles. The author of the book is focusing on interactions between charged particles and the electromagnetic field. … Materials of the most important part of the book are supported by illustrations. … useful for advanced graduate students, scientists and all who are interesting on the plasma physics and the confinement systems." (M. J. Canfell, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1158, 2009)
“Melrose’s addition to the Lecture Notes in Physics series provides an introduction to both QED and the kinetic theory of charged particles, while detailing the synthesis of these fields into the modern subject of quantum plasmadynamics (QPD). … this first volume of the collection focuses only on unmagnetized plasmas. … this book may be useful for advanced graduate students and working scientists interested in the dynamics and behavior of quantum plasmas.” (Stephen D. Pankavich, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 a)

From the Publisher