Vlasov simulations of thermal plasma waves with relativistic phase
velocity in a Lorentz boosted frame

For certain classes of relativistic plasma problems, performing
numerical calculations in a Lorentz boosted frame can be even more
advantageous for gridded momentum-space-time (e.g., Vlasov) problems
than has been demonstrated for position space-time problems and result
in a potential reduction in the number of calculations needed by a
factor ∼γ^6. In this study, the Lorentz boosted frame technique was
applied to the problem of warm wave-breaking limits of plasma waves with
relativistic phase velocity. The numerical results are consistent
with analytic conclusions. By appropriate normalization and for
sufficiently warm plasma, the dynamics for the Vlasov equation in
different Lorentz frames were found to be independent of γ.