Electrodynamics of a Charged Particle moving through a Plasma without Magnetic Field

Abstract

The motion of a charged particle through a low density electron plasma has been investigated using equation of momentum transfer in a plasma and Maxwell's equations for electromagnetic field. It is shown that for a particle velocity greater than the average thermal velocity of the plasma electrons, a Cerenkov-like effect is set up in the plasma, only in the case of longitudinal wave motion. The existence of Mach cone is derived and the nature of the energy loss investigated.