Variational Formulation of Higher-order Guiding-center Vlasov-Maxwell Theory

Abstract: Extended guiding-center Vlasov-Maxwell equations are derived under the assumption of time-dependent and inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields that obey the standard guiding-center space-time-scale orderings. The guiding-center Vlasov-Maxwell equations are derived to second order, which contain dipole and quadrupole contributions to the guiding-center polarization and magnetization that include finite-Larmor-radius corrections. Exact energy-momentum conservation laws are derived from the variational formulation of these higher-order guiding-center Vlasov-Maxwell equations.