Particle and guiding-center orbits in crossed electric and magnetic fields

Abstract: The problem of the charged-particle motion in crossed electric and magnetic fields is investigated, and the validity of the guiding-center representation is assessed in comparison with the exact particle dynamics. While the magnetic field is considered to be straight and uniform, the (perpendicular) radial electric field is nonuniform. The Hamiltonian guiding-center theory of charged-particle motion is presented for arbitrary radial electric fields, and explicit examples are provided for the case of a linear radial electric field.