title: Electron temperature of ultracold plasmas.
abstract: We study the evolution of ultracold plasmas by measuring the electron temperature. Shortly after plasma formation, competition between heating and cooling mechanisms drives the electron temperature to a value within a narrow range regardless of the initial energy imparted to the electrons. In agreement with theory predictions, plasmas exhibit values of the Coulomb coupling parameter Gamma less than 1.
authors.affiliation: Atomic Physics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Fertig
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rolston