The approach to statistical equilibrium in collisionless wave-particle interactions (Q2383059)

The long-time behaviour of wave-particle interaction is investigated now in a Fermi-like model. A previous, well known model of the process, is due to Landau, and describes the process of wave dissipation even in absence of collisions. This description holds only for infinitesimally small initial perturbations. In nonlinear regime the damping should be prevented by trapping of particles in the potential well of the wave. For a finite initial amplitude of the electric field, the trapped dectrons can gain and lose energy in the interaction with the wave and this can turn off Landau damping. In the Fermi-like model the wave-particle interaction is presented as a result of a large number of collisions between two infinitely massive, one-dimensional barriers with variable length set at fixed distance. The whole system moves with a speed (the wave phase velocity). Each collision of a particle with the barrier is elastic and reverses the direction. The length of the barriers \(A\) represents the wave amplitude and when squared is equal to the wave energy. When a collision occurs the amplitude varies and this gives a way to describe the energy-exchange between the particle and the barrier. A Monte Carlo simulation of this model is carried out. The results of the simulation reproduces all the features of both Landau and O'Neil scenarios -- O'Neil calculated the problem with nonlinear regime. The results are compared with those of particle in cell simulations. The system approaches to equilibrium through a phase space filamentation that is analogous to a laminar Gibbs process in a conservative system.