Kinetic equation for nonlinear wave-particle interaction: Solution properties and asymptotic dynamics

We consider a kinetic equation describing evolution of the particle distribution function in a system with nonlinear wave-particle interactions (trappings into resonance and nonlinear scatterings). We study properties of its solutions and show that the only stationary solution is a constant, and that all solutions with smooth initial conditions tend to a constant as time grows. The resulting flattening of the distribution function in the domain of nonlinear interactions is similar to one described by the quasi-linear plasma theory, but the distribution evolves much faster. The results are confirmed numerically for a model problem. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.