The transition from the classical to the quantum regime in nonlinear Landau damping

TL;DR

This paper investigates the transition from classical to quantum regimes in nonlinear Landau damping of Langmuir waves, revealing new quantum effects such as modified bounce frequency and bounce-like oscillations without trapped particles.

Contribution

It derives a simplified quantum model from the Wigner-Moyal equation and numerically explores the quantum effects on nonlinear Landau damping, highlighting novel phenomena.

Findings

Quantum modified bounce frequency observed.

Bounce-like oscillations without trapped particles.

Transition characteristics between classical and quantum regimes.

Abstract

Starting from the Wigner-Moyal equation coupled to Poisson's equation, a simplified set of equations describing nonlinear Landau damping of Langmuir waves is derived. This system is studied numerically, with a particular focus on the transition from the classical to the quantum regime. In the quantum regime several new features are found. This includes a quantum modified bounce frequency, and the discovery that bounce-like amplitude oscillations can take place even in the absence of trapped particles. The implications of our results are discussed.