AbstractWe construct (modified) scattering operators for the Vlasov–Poisson system in three dimensions, mapping small asymptotic dynamics as $$t\rightarrow -\infty$$
t
→
-
∞
to asymptotic dynamics as $$t\rightarrow +\infty$$
t
→
+
∞
. The main novelty is the construction of modified wave operators, but we also obtain a new simple proof of modified scattering. Our analysis is guided by the Hamiltonian structure of the Vlasov–Poisson system. Via a pseudo-conformal inversion, we recast the question of asymptotic behavior in terms of local in time dynamics of a new equation with singular coefficients which is approximately integrated using a generating function.