0 Symmetry Results for Finite - Temperature , Relativistic Thomas - Fermi Equations ∗

In the semi-classical limit the quantum mechanics of a stationary beam of counter-streaming relativistic electrons and ions is described by a nonlinear system of finite-temperature Thomas–Fermi equations. In the high temperature / low density limit these Thomas–Fermi equations reduce to the (semi-)conformal system of Bennett equations discussed earlier by Lebowitz and the author. With the help of a sharp isoperimetric inequality it is shown that any hypothetical particle density function which is not radially symmetric about and decreasing away from the beam’s axis would violate the virial theorem. Hence, all beams have the symmetry of the circular cylinder. ∗ In celebration of the 70 birthday of Joel L. Lebowitz. c ©2000 The author. Reproduction of this article, in its entirety, for noncommercial purposes is permitted.