A Vlasov equation to describe the Alfven wave CVK spectrum

We explore a Vlasov description of the Alfven wave to enable a kinetic analysis of experimental data of wave-particle interactions (suprathermal electron parallel-velocity distribution functions). By neglecting the displacement current, the Alfven wave is described by a Case-Van Kampen (CVK) continuum analogous to the electron plasma wave and the ion acoustic wave. Use of the appropriate diagonalizing transform (projection onto CVK modes) provides a way of analyzing the interaction of a plasma antenna structure with the plasma. This Vlasov description reduces to the usual two-fluid description of kinetic and inertial Alfven waves in the appropriate limits.