The coherent state approach to the Vlasov equation

Abstract

The Vlasov equation is approached from the coherent state basis. This treatment has the virtue of keeping the classical correspondence explicit at various stages. As an illustration the classical expression for the longitudinal dielectric constant of a uniform magnetized plasma is obtained. While for gaseous plasmas quantum effects are negligible and classical physics is adequate, the present approach, constituting a quantal approach and passage to the classical limit, is motivated by advantages which accrue in more difficult problems involving non-linear interactions.