Irreversible Processes in Ionized Gases
The general theory of irreversible processes, developed by Prigogine and Balescu, is applied to the case of long range interactions in ionized gases. A similar diagram technique permits the systematic selection of all the contributions to the evolution of the distribution function, a an order of approximation equivalent to Debye's equilibrium theory. The infinite series which appear in this way can be summed exactly. The resulting evolution equations have a clear physical significance: they describe interactions of "quasi particles," which are electrons or ions "dressed" by their polarization clouds. These clouds are not a permanent feature, as in equilibrium theory, but have a nonequilibrium, changing shape, distorted by the motions of the particles. From the mathematical point of view, these equations exhibit a new type of nonlinearity, which is very directly related to the collective nature of the interactions.
- Research Organization:
- Universite Libre, Brussels
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-009148
- OSTI ID:
- 4187008
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Fluids (New York), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (New York) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 3; ISSN 0031-9171; ISSN PFLDAS
- Publisher:
- American Institute of Physics
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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