ISSN:
1090-6509
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract A system of electron-transport equations for small perturbations in a plasma, which is suitable for an arbitrary relation between the electron mean free path and the density gradient length, is formulated. Electron-electron collisions are treated on the basis of the exact Landau collision integral, making it possible to obtain expressions for the potential elements of the Fourier components of electron fluxes, generalized forces, and all the transport coefficients in a plasma with an arbitrary ion charge for the first time. The transport coefficients found, viz., the electrical conductivity, the thermal diffusivity, the thermoelectric coefficient, and the ion convection coefficients, permit the quantitative description of an extensive list of small-scale processes in a completely ionized plasma. The suppression of heat transport and the damping of ion-sound waves in a current-free plasma over the entire range of spatial scales of the perturbations from the high-collisionality limit to the collisionless limit are examined as applications of the theory developed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/1.558740
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