Semi-relativistic effects in spin-1/2 quantum plasmas

Abstract

Emerging possibilities for creating and studying novel plasma regimes, e.g. relativistic plasmas and dense systems, in a controlled laboratory environment also require new modeling tools for such systems. This motivates theoretical studies of the kinetic theory governing the dynamics of plasmas for which both relativistic and quantum effects occur simultaneously. Here, we investigate relativistic corrections to the Pauli Hamiltonian in the context of a scalar kinetic theory for spin-1/2 quantum plasmas. In particular, we formulate a quantum kinetic theory for the collective motion of electrons that takes into account effects such as spin-orbit coupling and Zitterbewegung. We discuss the implications and possible applications of our findings. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.