Journal of Modern Research Physics
Volume 10, Issue 2 (Autumn and Winter 2026)
JMRPh 2026, 10(2): 38-61 |
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Kiamehr Z. Modeling quantum effects in collisionless electrostatic plasmas and comparing results in two linear and nonlinear frameworks. JMRPh 2026; 10 (2) :38-61
URL: http://jmrph.khu.ac.ir/article-1-277-en.html
URL: http://jmrph.khu.ac.ir/article-1-277-en.html
Tafresh University
Abstract: (6 Views)
Classical plasma physics primarily addresses regimes characterized by high temperatures and low densities, where quantum mechanical effects are essentially negligible. In recent years, however, advances in technology—particularly in semiconductor engineering and the development of nanoscale structures—have opened the way for studying and forecasting practical applications of plasma physics under conditions where the quantum nature of particles plays a pivotal role. In this study, several approaches to modeling quantum effects in collisionless electrostatic plasmas are explored. The most comprehensive kinetic description of these phenomena is based on the Wigner equation, the quantum analogue of the classical Vlasov equation. The Wigner formalism is remarkable in that it frames quantum theory within the familiar classical phase space, though it introduces the challenge of distribution functions that may take on negative values. From an equivalent standpoint, the Wigner model can be reformulated in terms of N single-particle Schrödinger equations coupled with the Poisson equation—an approach known as the Hartree formalism—which closely parallels the multi-flow method in classical plasma physics. To manage the complexity inherent in these kinetic frameworks, a quantum fluid model can be obtained by taking velocity-space moments of the Wigner equation. These reduced models facilitate the investigation of collective particle dynamics with reasonable accuracy and within a more tractable theoretical structure. Furthermore, in specific regimes characterized by high excitation energies, semiclassical kinetic models of the Vlasov–Poisson type can be utilized, provided that the initial ground state is determined according to quantum mechanical principles. The models discussed herein have been validated and cross-compared in both linear and nonlinear scenarios. Their outcomes indicate that integrating quantum and classical formulations yields a richer and more nuanced understanding of plasma behavior at microscopic scales and under extreme physical conditions.
Keywords: Plasma physics, quantum effects, modeling in plasmas, collisionless plasma, kinetic model.
Type of Study: case report |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/19 | Accepted: 2026/04/27 | Published: 2026/03/20 | ePublished: 2026/03/20
Received: 2025/11/19 | Accepted: 2026/04/27 | Published: 2026/03/20 | ePublished: 2026/03/20
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