Transport coefficients of a relativistic plasma
File(s)Relativistic_transport_v6.pdf (1.85 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Pike, OJ
Rose, SJ
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In this work, a self-consistent transport theory for a relativistic plasma is developed.
Using the notation of Braginskii [S. I. Braginskii, in Reviews of Plasma Physics, ed. M. A.
Leontovich (1965), Vol. 1, p.174], we provide semi-analytical forms of the electrical resistivity,
thermoelectric and thermal conductivity tensors for a Lorentzian plasma in a magnetic field.
This treatment is then generalized to plasmas with arbitrary atomic number by numerically
solving the linearized Boltzmann equation. The corresponding transport coefficients are
fitted by rational functions in order to make them suitable for use in radiation-hydrodynamic
simulations and transport calculations. Within the confines of linear transport theory and
on the assumption that the plasma is optically thin, our results are valid for temperatures up
to a few MeV. By contrast, classical transport theory begins to incur significant errors above
kBT ∼ 10 keV, e.g., the parallel thermal conductivity is suppressed by 15% at kBT = 20
keV due to relativistic effects
Using the notation of Braginskii [S. I. Braginskii, in Reviews of Plasma Physics, ed. M. A.
Leontovich (1965), Vol. 1, p.174], we provide semi-analytical forms of the electrical resistivity,
thermoelectric and thermal conductivity tensors for a Lorentzian plasma in a magnetic field.
This treatment is then generalized to plasmas with arbitrary atomic number by numerically
solving the linearized Boltzmann equation. The corresponding transport coefficients are
fitted by rational functions in order to make them suitable for use in radiation-hydrodynamic
simulations and transport calculations. Within the confines of linear transport theory and
on the assumption that the plasma is optically thin, our results are valid for temperatures up
to a few MeV. By contrast, classical transport theory begins to incur significant errors above
kBT ∼ 10 keV, e.g., the parallel thermal conductivity is suppressed by 15% at kBT = 20
keV due to relativistic effects
Date Issued
2016-05-24
Online Publication Date
2016-05-24
Date Acceptance
2016-04-22
Citation
Physical Review E, 2016, 93
ISSN
1539-3755
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review E
Volume
93
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Physical Society. Transport coefficients of a relativistic plasma
O. J. Pike and S. J. Rose
Phys. Rev. E 93, 053208 – Published 24 May 2016
O. J. Pike and S. J. Rose
Phys. Rev. E 93, 053208 – Published 24 May 2016
Source Database
manual-entry
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Physics, Mathematical
Physics
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION
STEEP TEMPERATURE-GRADIENTS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMAS
MAGNETIC-FIELD
CONDUCTIVITY
DIFFUSION
IGNITION
Fluids & Plasmas
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
053208