Relaxed States in Relativistic Multi-Fluid Plasmas

TL;DR

This paper derives evolution equations for relativistic multi-fluid plasmas, introduces a generalized vorticity framework, and explores relaxed equilibrium states using a variational principle, providing insights into plasma stability and structure.

Contribution

It presents a minimal fluid coupling model for relativistic plasmas, casting evolution equations in terms of generalized vorticity, and identifies relaxed states via a variational approach.

Findings

Equations for relativistic multi-fluid plasmas are derived.

Relaxed states are characterized as minima of enstrophy with energy and helicity constraints.

Example solutions illustrate the structure of these relaxed states.

Abstract

The evolution equations for a plasma comprising multiple species of charged fluids with relativistic bulk and thermal motion are derived. It is shown that a minimal fluid coupling model allows a natural casting of the evolution equations in terms of generalized vorticity which treats the fluid motion and electromagnetic fields equally. Equilibria can be found using a variational principle based on minimizing the total enstrophy subject to energy and helicity constraints. A subset of these equilibria correspond to minimum energy. The equations for these states are presented with example solutions showing the structure of the relaxed states.