Mean field theory for intense light-matter interactions in high energy density plasmas

TL;DR

This paper develops a generalized kinetic theory for high-energy density plasmas interacting with intense electromagnetic fields, capturing strong radiation effects and correlations non-perturbatively.

Contribution

It introduces a mean-field evolution equation for plasma fragments that includes strong radiation reaction effects and Hamiltonian structure, advancing modeling of intense light-matter interactions.

Findings

Derivation of a Hamiltonian-formulated mean-field equation

Inclusion of strong radiation reaction effects

Framework for modeling nonlinear Compton scattering

Abstract

We present a generalization of Vlasov-Maxwell kinetic theory that accounts for intense electromagnetic fields. A strongly-radiating, possibly optically-thick plasma is decomposed into fragments, each comprising a charged particle together with its self-generated electromagnetic field. Assuming weak inter-fragment correlations, but strong intra-fragment correlations, a mean-field evolution equation for the single-fragment distribution functional is derived. We also identify the equation's Hamiltonian formulation. By incorporating strong correlations between a charged particle and the field it generates, the new model captures the effects of strong radiation reaction non-perturbatively. The fragment kinetic formalism offers an attractive approach to modeling exotic light-matter interactions such as nonlinear and multiple Compton scattering.