Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 March 2009
The evolution of the distribution function due to the simultaneous nonlinear interaction of plasma particles with resonant and non-resonant waves is studied. A stationary particle distribution resulting from a balance of the quasi-linear interaction and the nonlinear one is found. The temporal evolution of an initial δ-function-shaped distribution (like a ‘beam’) is examined in the one-dimensional case. General formulae are obtained for stochastic particle acceleration (taking account of the nonlinear interaction studied here).