A linearized kinetic theory of spin-1/2 particles in magnetized plasmas

Abstract

We have considered linear kinetic theory including the electron spin properties in a magnetized plasma. The starting point is a mean field Vlasov-like equation, derived from a fully quantum mechanical treatment, where effects from the electron spin precession and the magnetic dipole force is taken into account. The general conductivity tensor is derived, including both the free current contribution, as well as the magnetization current associated with the spin contribution. We conclude the paper with an extensive discussion of the quantum-mechanical boundary where we list parameter conditions that must be satisfied for various quantum effects to be influential.