Semi-relativistic effects in spin-1/2 quantum plasmas

Abstract: Emerging possibilities for creating and studying novel plasma regimes, e.g. relativistic plasmas and dense systems, in a controlled laboratory environment also requires new modeling tools for such systems. This brings motivation for theoretical studies of the kinetic theory governing the dynamics of plasmas for which both relativistic and quantum effects occur simultaneously. Here, we investigate relativistic corrections to the Pauli Hamiltonian in the context of a scalar kinetic theory for spin-1/2 quantum plasmas. In particular, we formulate a quantum kinetic theory that takes such effects as spin-orbit coupling and Zitterbewegung into account for the collective motion of electrons. We discuss the implications and possible applications of our findings.