On the Paradox of Landau Damping Disappearance in a Magnetic Field

Roald Sagdeev, University of Maryland

Linear theory of wave propagation across a magnetic field associates damping with harmonics of the cyclotron resonance. As such, it precludes an analytical transition to conventional Landau damping at zero magnetic field. The paper suggests a resolution of this paradox by invoking nonlinear considerations and a formalism involving chaotic dynamics.

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