On the asymptotic limit of the three dimensional Vlasov-Poisson system for large magnetic field : formal derivation

Abstract

This paper establishes the long time asymptotic limit of the three dimensional Vlasov-Poisson equation with strong external magnetic field. The guiding center approximation is investigated in the three dimensional case with a non-constant magnetic field. In the long time asymptotic limit, the motion can be split in two parts : one stationary flow along the lines of the magnetic field and the guiding center motion in the orthogonal plane of the magnetic field where classical drift velocities are recovered. We discuss in particular the effect of nonconstant external magnetic fields.