Langevin approach to plasma kinetics with Coulomb collisions

The Langevin approach to the kinetics of a collisional plasma is developed. Some collision models are considered, and the corresponding stochastic dif ferential equations are derived. These equations can be regarded as an alte rnative to the description of a plasma in terms of a distribution function. The method developed here allows one to simulate plasma processes, taking account of both collective kinetics effects and Coulomb collisions. Results of the numerical simulation of the intervention of laser pulses with an ov erdense plasma are presented. The dependence of the absorption coefficient on the plasma parameters is calculated. The features of the plasma dynamics under the action of intense laser radiation are observed and discussed. Th e results of numerical tests of the validity of this method are also presen ted.