Quantum plasma effects in the classical regime

TL;DR

This paper shows that quantum effects, specifically electron spin properties, can influence plasma dynamics even at higher temperatures, challenging the common assumption that quantum effects are only significant at low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a multicomponent plasma model considering electron spin states and demonstrates quantum effects in high-temperature plasmas through Alfvén wave soliton analysis.

Findings

Quantum effects persist in high-temperature plasmas due to electron spin.

Electron spin states influence Alfvén wave propagation.

Challenging the assumption that quantum effects require low temperatures.

Abstract

For quantum effects to be significant in plasmas it is often assumed that the temperature over density ratio must be small. In this paper we challenge this assumption by considering the contribution to the dynamics from the electron spin properties. As a starting point we consider a multicomponent plasma model, where electrons with spin up and spin down are regarded as different fluids. By studying the propagation of Alfv\'{e}n wave solitons we demonstrate that quantum effects can survive in a relatively high-temperature plasma. The consequences of our results are discussed.