Regularized κ-distributions with non-diverging moments. (23rd February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scherer, K.; Fichtner, H.; Lazar, M.
• Is Part Of: Europhysics letters. Volume 120:Number 5(2017:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-23
• Subjects: 05.90.+m -- 52.25.Kn -- 96.50.Ci; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/120/50002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0295-5075

Abstract

Abstract: For various plasma applications the so-called (non-relativistic) κ -distribution is widely used to reproduce and interpret the suprathermal particle populations exhibiting a power-law distribution in velocity or energy. Despite its reputation the standard κ -distribution as a concept is still disputable, mainly due to the velocity moments M l which make a macroscopic characterization possible, but whose existence is restricted only to low orders . In fact, the definition of the κ -distribution itself is conditioned by the existence of the moment of order l = 2 ( i.e., kinetic temperature) satisfied only for . In order to resolve these critical limitations we introduce the regularized κ -distribution with non-diverging moments. For the evaluation of all velocity moments a general analytical expression is provided enabling a significant step towards a macroscopic (fluid-like) description of space plasmas, and, in general, any system of κ -distributed particles.