Consistent Guiding Center Drift Theories

Abstract

Abstract Various guiding-center drift theories are presented that are optimized in respect of consistency. They satisfy exact energy conservation theorems (in time-independent fields), Liouville’s theorems and appropriate power balance equations. A theoretical framework is given that allows direct and exact derivation of associated drift-kinetic equations from the respective guiding-center drift-orbit theories. These drift-kinetic equations are listed. Northrop's non-optimized theory is dis-cussed for reference, and internal consistency relations of G.C. drift theories are presented.