On the theory of the nonlinear Landau damping

Abstract

An exact solution of the collisionless time-dependent Vlasov equation is found for the first time. By means of this solution the behavior of the Langmuir waves in the nonlinear stage is considered. The analysis is restricted by the consideration of the first nonlinear approximation keeping the second power of the electric strength. It is shown that in general the waves with finite amplitudes are not subject to damping. Only in the linear approximation, when the wave amplitude is very small, are the waves experiencing damping. It is shown that with the definite resonance conditions imposed, the waves become unstable.