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Asymptotic solution of Fokker-Planck equation for plasma in Paul traps

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3418373· OSTI ID:21371163
 [1]
  1. Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, POB 26, Rehovot 76100 (Israel)
An exact analytic solution of the Vlasov equation for the plasma distribution in a Paul trap is known to be a Maxwellian and thus, immune to collisions under the assumption of infinitely fast relaxation [K. Shah and H. S. Ramachandran, Phys. Plasmas 15, 062303 (2008)]. In this paper, it is shown that even for a more realistic situation of finite time relaxation, solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation lead to an equilibrium solution of the form of a Maxwellian with oscillatory temperature. This shows that the rf heating observed in Paul traps cannot be caused due to collisional effects alone.
OSTI ID:
21371163
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 17; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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