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arXiv · 1910.13883

Variational mean-fluctuation splitting and drift-fluid models

Cesare Tronci
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Abstract

After reviewing the variational approach to splitting mean flow and fluctuation kinetics in the standard Vlasov theory, the same method is applied to the drift-kinetic equation from Littlejohn's theory of guiding-center motion. This process sheds a new light on drift-ordered fluid (drift-fluid) models, whose anisotropic pressure tensor is then considered in detail. In addition, current drift-fluid models are completed by the insertion of magnetization terms ensuring momentum conservation. Magnetization currents are also shown to lead to challenging aspects when drift-fluid models are coupled to Maxwell's equations for the evolution of the electromagnetic field. In order to overcome these difficulties, a simplified guiding-center theory is proposed along with its possible applications to hybrid kinetic-fluid models.

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Cesare Tronci. 2019-10-30. Variational mean-fluctuation splitting and drift-fluid models. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/ab7c4d

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