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Invariants for single-component plasmas in a time-dependent harmonic trap

Luiz Gustavo Ferreira Soares* and Thonimar V. Alencar

Ronaldo Thibes

  • *Contact author: luiz.gf.soares@ufes.com
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Phys. Rev. E 113, 035206 – Published 11 March, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xry2-ygdr

Abstract

We investigate the complex nonlinear dynamics of a quasi-one-dimensional single-component plasma confined in a time-dependent harmonic trap. The system is described as a fluid in a hydrodynamic framework, incorporating electrostatic and thermal effects. By applying a time-dependent variational method, with a Gaussian ansatz for the number density distribution, we reduce the plasma complexity to that of a system of ordinary differential equations and follow up with a systematic analysis of the corresponding Noether symmetries in three distinct regimes: electrostatic, thermal, and combined effects. For each studied case, proper conserved quantities are identified, including a generalized Ermakov-Lewis invariant. We illustrate our results in the antiproton and positron confinement problems.

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Phys. Rev. E 113, 035206– Published 11 March, 2026
  • Received 23 September 2025
  • Accepted 23 February 2026
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