Dense plasma temperature equilibration in the binary collision approximation.
Temperature equilibration in dense, strongly coupled plasmas has been investigated without most of the usual simplifying assumptions. A quantum kinetic approach is used that accounts for strong electron-ion collisions through an exact T-matrix treatment of the scattering cross section using a screened interaction. Our results reveal the accuracy of the usual Spitzer formula for Coulomb logarithms larger than about three. Moreover, a simple model based on hyperbolic orbits yields surprisingly accurate results. We also have included equation of state effects to describe realistic plasmas.
Gericke
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Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545. gericke@lanl.gov
Murillo
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Schlanges
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