Variational Principle and Stability of Nonmonotonic Vlasov-Poisson Equilibria

Abstract

The stability of nonmonotonic equilibria of the Vlasov-Poisson equation is assessed by using nonlinear constants of motion . The constants of motion make up the free energy of the system , which upon variation yields nonmonotonic equilibria. Such equilibria have not previously been obtainable from a variation principle, but here this is accomplished by the inclusion of a passively advected tracer field. Definiteness of the second variation of the free energy gives a sufficient condition for stability in agreement with Gardner’s theorem [5], Previously, we have argued that indefiniteness implies either spectral in stability or negative energy modes, which are generically unstable when one adds dissipation or nonlinearity [6]. Such is the case for the nonmonotonic equilibria considered.