Exploring the crossover between high-energy-density plasma and ultracold neutral plasma physics
Abstract
In this paper, we present ideas that were part of the miniconference on the crossover between High Energy Density Plasmas (HEDP) and Ultracold Neutral Plasmas (UNPs) at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics, November 2018. We give an overview of UNP experiments with an emphasis on measurements of the time-evolving ion density and velocity distributions, the electron-ion thermalization rate, and plasma self-assembly—all just inside the strongly coupled plasma regime. We also present theoretical and computational models that were developed to understand a subset of HEDP experiments. However, because HEDP experiments display similar degrees of strong coupling, many aspects of these models can be vetted using precision studies of UNPs. This comparison is important because some statistical assumptions used for ideal plasmas are of questionable validity in the strongly coupled plasma regime. We summarize two theoretical approaches that extend kinetic theories into the strong-coupling regime and show good agreement for momentum transfer and self-diffusion. As capabilities improve, both computationally and experimentally, UNP measurements may help guide the ongoing development of HEDP-appropriate plasma models. Future opportunities in viscosity, energy relaxation, and magnetized plasmas are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.5119144
Entities
People
- C. Leland Ellison
- Edward R. Grant
- Frank Graziani
- Jacob L. Roberts
- Liam Stanton
- Michael S. Murillo
- Scott D Bergeson
- Scott D. Baalrud
- Thomas C Killian
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Brigham Young University
- Colorado State University
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Michigan State University
- National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Rice University
- San José State University
- United States Department of Energy
- University of British Columbia
- University of Iowa