Variational principle for nonlinear gyrokinetic Vlasov--Maxwell equations

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1322063· OSTI ID:40205954

Brizard, Alain J

A new variational principle for the nonlinear gyrokinetic Vlasov--Maxwell equations is presented. This Eulerian variational principle uses constrained variations for the gyrocenter Vlasov distribution in eight-dimensional extended phase space and turns out to be simpler than the Lagrangian variational principle recently presented by H. Sugama [Phys. Plasmas 7, 466 (2000)]. A local energy conservation law is then derived explicitly by the Noether method. In future work, this new variational principle will be used to derive self-consistent, nonlinear, low-frequency Vlasov--Maxwell bounce-gyrokinetic equations, in which the fast gyromotion and bounce-motion time scales have been eliminated.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40205954
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 7, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1322063; Othernumber: PHPAEN000007000012004816000001; 044012PHP; PBD: Dec 2000; ISSN 1070-664X
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
PHASE SPACE
PHYSICS