A Distribution Function for the Particles in an Anisotropic Relativistic Plasma

Abstract

The particles making up a plasma are usually not in equilibrium, and their energies are often relativistic and anisotropically distributed, especially if the plasma is in a d.c. magnetic field. Thus, the usual methods for developing particle distribution functions based on equilibrium conditions are not applicable. A development of a particular anisotropic relativistic distribution function that may describe the particles in a plasma is made.