A critique of recent semi‐classical spin‐half quantum plasma theories

Krishnaswam, G. S. and Nityananda, Rajaram and Sen, A. and Thyagaraja, A. (2014) A critique of recent semi‐classical spin‐half quantum plasma theories. Contribution to Plasma Physics, 55 (1). pp. 3-11.

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Abstract

Certain recent semi‐classical theories of spin‐half quantum plasmas are examined with regard to their internal consistency, physical applicability and relevance to fusion, astrophysical and condensed matter plasmas. It is shown that the derivations and some of the results obtained in these theories are internally inconsistent and contradict well‐established principles of quantum and statistical mechanics, especially in their treatment of fermions and spin. Claims of large semi‐classical effects of spin magnetic moments that could dominate the plasma dynamics are found to be invalid both for single‐particles and collectively. Larmor moments dominate at high temperature while spin moments cancel due to Pauli blocking at low temperatures. Explicit numerical estimates from a variety of plasmas are provided to demonstrate that spin effects are indeed much smaller than many neglected classical effects. The analysis presented suggests that the aforementioned ‘Spin Quantum Hydrodynamic’ theories are not relevant to conventional laboratory or astrophysical plasmas. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Item Type: Article
Authors: Krishnaswam, G. S. and Nityananda, Rajaram and Sen, A. and Thyagaraja, A.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Semi conductor, Plasma theories, Statistical mechanics, Quantum mechanics.
Subjects: Natural Sciences > Physics
Divisions: Azim Premji University > School of Arts and Sciences
Full Text Status: Public
Related URLs:
URI: http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/341
Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/ctpp.201400043

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