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Quantum Weibel instability

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2829071· OSTI ID:21103801
 [1]
  1. Institut fuer Theoretische Physik IV, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany and Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos-UNISINOS, Av. Unisinos, 950, 93022-000 Sao Leopoldo RS (Brazil)
The Weibel instability is analyzed for quantum plasmas described by the Wigner-Maxwell model. For a suitable class of electromagnetic potentials, the Wigner-Maxwell system is linearized yielding a general dispersion relation for transverse electromagnetic waves. For a double Gaussian equilibrium with temperature anisotropy, the derived dispersion relation generalizes the classical Weibel instability equation. More detailed analytical results are obtained for the cases of extreme temperature anisotropy and for a three-dimensional water bag distribution. In all cases, quantum effects tend to weaken or suppress the instability. Applications are discussed for dense astrophysical objects such as white dwarfs and neutron stars as well as for tunnel-ionized plasmas with controllable perpendicular plasma temperature.
OSTI ID:
21103801
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 15; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English