par Zhang, Weiyan ;Balescu, Radu
Référence Journal of plasma physics, 40, 2, page (199-213)
Publication Publié, 1988
Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : The statistical mechanics of a spin-polarized plasma is investigated in detail. A rigorous quantum-mechanical description is constructed in terms of a generalized matrix Wigner function. In order to ensure the manifest gauge invariance of the theory, the non-canonical variables q (position) and π (mechanical momentum) are used for the particles. The evolution equation for the phase-space Wigner function, as well as the BBGKY hierarchy for the reduced distribution functions, are derived. A general expression is found for the quantum-mechanical realization of the Lie bracket of any pair of dynamical functions. In the quasi-classical limit, the equations of evolution and the Lie bracket reduce to a simple form. Our approach is compared with the previous semi-phenomenological theory of Cowley, Kulsrud and Valeo. © 1988, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.