Classical zitterbewegung in reduced plasma dynamics

Abstract

The process of dynamical reduction of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations leads to the introduction of classical {\it zitterbewegung} effects in reduced plasma dynamics. These effects manifest themselves in the form of an asymmetric canonical energy-momentum tensor involving the decoupling of the reduced kinetic momentum ${\bf p}$ from the reduced velocity ${\bf u}$ (i.e., ${\bf u}\btimes{\bf p} \neq 0$) as well as reduced polarization and magnetization effects. The reduced intrinsic torque generated by the antisymmetric part of the canonical energy-momentum tensor, which is calculated from the reduced ponderomotive potential, acts as the source for the intrinsic (spin) angular momentum.