Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-45l2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T05:25:08.872Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Covariant form of Trubnikov's response tensor for a relativistic magnetized thermal plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1997

D. B. MELROSE
Affiliation:
Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Abstract

A covariant version of Vlasov theory is used to derive the linear response 4-tensor for a relativistic magnetized thermal plasma, generalizing Trubnikov's 3-tensor form. The charge-continuity and gauge-invariance conditions imply a set of integral identities, and use of these identities allows one to derive a manifestly gauge invariant form for the response 4-tensor. This form implies an alternative version of Trubnikov's 3-tensor. The different versions lead to different expressions in the weakly relativistic small-gyroradius limit. Arguments are given as to how this inconsistency should be resolved.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)