Kinetic theory with angle-action variables

Pierre-Henri Chavanis

Published 2006-04-18, updated 2007-08-13Version 2

We present a kinetic theory for inhomogeneous systems with weak long-range interactions. Starting from the Klimontovich equation and using a quasilinear theory, we obtain a closed kinetic equation describing the relaxation of the distribution function of the system as a whole due to resonances between different orbits. This equation is written in angle-action variables. It conserves mass and energy and increases the Boltzmann entropy (H-theorem). Using a thermal bath approximation, we derive a Fokker-Planck equation that describes the relaxation of a test particle towards the Boltzmann distribution under the combined effect of diffusion and friction terms. We mention some analogies with the kinetic theory of point vortices in two-dimensional hydrodynamics. We also stress the limitations of our approach and the connection with recent works.