Dispersion Properties of Co-Existing Low Frequency Modes in Quantum Plasmas

The underlying physics of nonconventional quantum plasmas has been introduced long ago. Analytical investigations of collective interactions between an ensemble of degenerate electrons in a dense quantum plasma dates back to early fifties. The general kinetic equations for quantum plasmas were derived and the dispersion properties of plasma waves were studied (Klimotovich & Silin, 1952). It was thought that the quantum mechanical behaviour of electrons, in the presence of heavier species modifies the well known properties of plasma. The dynamics of quantum plasmas got particular attention in the framework of relationship between individual particle and collective behavior. Emphasizing the excitation spectrum of quantum plasmas, theoretical investigations describe the dispersion properties of electron plasma oscillations involving the electron tunneling (Bohm & Pines, 1953; Pines, 1961). A general theory of electromagnetic properties of electron gas in a quantizing magnetic field and many particle kinetic model of nonthermal plasmas was also developed treating the electrons quantum mechanically (Zyrianov et al., 1969; Bezzerides & DuBois, 1972). Since the pioneering work of these authors which laid foundations of quantum plasmas, many theoretical studies have been done in the subsequent years. The rapidly growing interest in quantum plasmas in the recent years has several different origins but is mainly motivated by its potential applications in modern science and technology (e.g. metallic and semiconductor micro and nanostructures, nanoscale plasmonic devices, nanotubes and nanoclusters, spintronics, nano-optics, etc.). Furthermore, quantum plasmas are ubiquitous in planetary interiors and in compact astrophysical objects (e.g., the interior of white dwarfs, neutron stars, magnetars, etc.) as well as in the next generation intense laser-solid density plasma interaction experiments. Such plasmas also provide promises of important futuristic developments in ultrashort pulsed lasers and ultrafast nonequilibrium phenomena (Bonitz, 1898; Lai, 2001; Shukla & Eliasson, 2009). Source: Acoustic Waves, Book edited by: Don W. Dissanayake, ISBN 978-953-307-111-4, pp. 466, September 2010, Sciyo, Croatia, downloaded from SCIYO.COM