Is plasma frequency a maximum?

[Thierry12]

When i calculate a plasma frequency with the equation : ω=square root (4*pi*n*e^2/m)
are the electrons always of that frequency or is it a maximum that an electron can oscillate?

 

[Born2bwire]

The plasma frequency is the frequeny of oscillation of the electrons in a plasma when they are perturbed. They simply oscillate in space and only at the plasma frequency. This is a very simple motion and ignores a lot of things like ion movement, non-linear effects, and thermal movement. But under the basic assumptions and assuming a cold plasma then yes, the electrons only oscillate at this frequency but this does not preclude the electrons from oscillating due to sound waves, electromagnetic waves, etc. This is looking at a simple isolated phenomonon.

 

[astrokreng]

The plasma frequency is not a maximum frequency that an electron can oscillate at. Instead, it is the natural frequency at which electrons in a plasma oscillate in response to an external electric field. This frequency is determined by the density of electrons (n), the charge of an electron (e), and the mass of an electron (m). Therefore, the plasma frequency can vary depending on these factors and is not limited to a maximum value.

Additionally, the plasma frequency is not limited to electrons alone. Other charged particles in a plasma, such as ions, also contribute to the overall plasma frequency. So, it is not accurate to say that the electrons are always oscillating at the plasma frequency, as the collective motion of all charged particles in the plasma determines the plasma frequency.

In summary, the plasma frequency is not a maximum frequency that electrons can oscillate at, but rather a natural frequency at which charged particles in a plasma oscillate in response to an external electric field.