Interaction of electromagnetic fields with warm slightly ionized magneto-plasmas

Abstract

The problem concerning the interaction of electromagnetic fields with a warm, slightly ionized magneto-plasma is analysed by means of the multiple time scales asymptotic technique. Only initial value problems in an infinite plasma are here considered in detail. It is shown how the full set of Vlasov–Maxwell equations, modified through a standard Boltzmann collision integral to take account of the elastic electron-neutral encounters, can be reduced, in the basic limit assumed, to a set of two coupled non-linear integro-difl�erential equations for the dominant terms of the longitudinal fields and of the electron distribution function. Once the initial conditions are specified, the behaviour of the transverse initial field is also described. A particular example has been given for the so-called progressing-wave initial conditions.