Nonlinear aspects of quantum plasma physics

Abstract

Dense quantum plasmas are ubiquitous in planetary interiors and in compact astrophysical objects (e.g., the interior of white dwarf stars, in magnetars, etc.), in semiconductors and micromechanical systems, as well as in the next-generation intense laser–solid density plasma interaction experiments and in quantum X-ray free-electron lasers. In contrast to classical plasmas, quantum plasmas have extremely high plasma number densities and low temperatures. Quantum plasmas are composed of electrons, positrons and holes, which are degenerate. Positrons (holes) have the same (slightly different) mass as electrons, but opposite charge. The degenerate charged particles (electrons, positrons, and holes) obey the Fermi–Dirac statistics. In quantum plasmas, there are new forces associated with (i) quantum statistical electron and positron pressures, (ii) electron and positron tunneling through the Bohm potential, and (iii) electron and positron angular momentum spin. Inclusion of these quantum forces allows the existence of very high-frequency dispersive electrostatic and electromagnetic waves (e.g., in the hard X-ray and gamma-ray regimes) with extremely short wavelengths. In this review paper, we present theoretical backgrounds for some important nonlinear aspects of wave–wave and wave–electron interactions in dense quantum plasmas. Specifically, we focus on nonlinear electrostatic electron and ion plasma waves, novel aspects of three-dimensional quantum electron fluid turbulence, as well as nonlinearly coupled intense electromagnetic waves and localized plasma wave structures. Also discussed are the phase-space kinetic structures and mechanisms that can generate quasistationary magnetic fields in dense quantum plasmas. The influence of the external magnetic field and the electron angular momentum spin on the electromagnetic wave dynamics is discussed. Finally, future perspectives of the nonlinear quantum plasma physics are highlighted

Acousto-Electric Interaction in Magnetised Piezoelectric Semiconductor Quantum Plasma

“…The field of quantum plasma physics [1][2][3][4][5] has considerable interest having risen recently in connection with its potential applications in modern technology, in emerging miniaturization techniques. In quantum plasmas, due to inter-fermion distances much lower than its de Broglie wavelength and the influence of the Pauli exclusion rule, many quantum effects such as electron-tunnelling, degeneracy pressure and Landau quantization may occur [6][7][8].…”

Exchange interaction effects on waves in magnetized quantum plasmas

“…The figure shows the dispersion characteristic of the quantum Langmuir wave frequency ω versus the wave vector k, which is described by the equation (9). The green branch of dispersion is presented the classical high frequency Langmuir wave, the red and blue branches characterize the Coulomb exchange interactions and quantum Bohm potential influence, where n0e 10 21 cm −3 , η = 1.…”

Nonlinear propagation of coherent electromagnetic waves in a dense magnetized plasma

“…Here, the quantum mechanics comes into the picture due to (1) overlapping of electron wave functions owing to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, leading to electron tunneling though the quantum Bohm potential (also referred to as the quantum recoil effect 6 ), and (2) electron exchange and electron correlations because of the electronone-half spin effect. Thus, there are new equations of state 19,20 (the degenerate electron pressure that relates the Fermi electron temperature and the electron number density), new quantum forces involving the electron exchange and electron correlation potentials, 21 as well as the Bohm potential 1,5,7,8 and electron-one-half spin effects. 22,23 Inclusion of these forces in the collective behavior of the dense quantum plasma plays a significant role, since the physical phenomena appear on the atomic and nanoscales.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] It is concerned with the collective behavior of charged particles in dense plasmas in which the electrons are degenerate and the ions non-degenerate. Such dense plasmas are found in astrophysical settings [9][10][11] (e.g., in the cores of white dwarf stars and magnetars) and in warm dense matter, 12 in planetary systems 13 (e.g., in the core of Jupiter), in intense laser-solid compressed density plasma experiments for inertial confined fusion (ICF), 14 and in quantum free-electron-laser (Q-FEL) systems 15,16 for producing coherent x-rays, as well as in metallic thin films/nanostructures 18 and semiconductor devices.…”