Electric Microfield Distributions in Plasmas

Abstract

A new method for calculating the distribution of electric microfields (high-frequency components) in a plasma is developed. Distributions are calculated at both a neutral and a charged point. The plasma is taken to be a system of $N$ charged particles moving in a uniform neutralizing background. It is shown that this development allows for the inclusion of all correlations to a high degree of accuracy. This theory is then compared with the Holtsmark and Baranger-Mozer theories. A detailed analysis of all approximations is included, together with a Monte Carlo study. Numerical results are shown both graphically and in tabulated form.