Kinetic Solitary Electrostatic Structures in Collisionless Plasma:
Phase-Space Holes
Kinetic Solitary Electrostatic Structures in Collisionless Plasma:
Phase-Space Holes
The physics of isolated plasma potential structures sustained by a deficit of phase-space density on trapped orbits, commonly known as electron or ion holes, is reviewed. The principles of their equilibria are explained and illustrated, and contrasted with solitons. A literature review mostly prior to 2016 highlights the key historical …