Fluid descriptions of quantum plasmas

TL;DR

Quantum fluid models offer a computationally efficient way to simulate electron dynamics in nano-scale systems, capturing quantum effects with fewer equations than traditional methods.

Contribution

This paper reviews the fundamental properties, advantages, limitations, and applications of quantum fluid models in quantum plasma research.

Findings

Quantum fluid models reduce computational complexity compared to density functional theory.

They can incorporate spin and relativistic effects in plasma modeling.

Applications include large metallic nano-objects and systems with many particles.

Abstract

Quantum fluid (or hydrodynamic) models provide an attractive alternative for the modeling and simulation of the electron dynamics in nano-scale objects. Compared to more standard approaches, such as density functional theory or phase-space methods based on Wigner functions, fluid models require the solution of a small number of equations in ordinary space, implying a lesser computational cost. They are therefore well suited to study systems composed of a very large number of particles, such as large metallic nano-objects. They can be generalized to include the spin degrees of freedom, as well as semirelativistic effects such as the spin-orbit coupling. Here, we review the basic properties, advantages and limitations of quantum fluid models, and provide some examples of their applications.