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Electron Temperature of Ultracold Plasmas

J. L. Roberts·C. F. Fertig·M. L. Lim·S. L. Rolston
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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 $Γ$ less than 1.

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J. L. Roberts, C. F. Fertig, M. L. Lim, S. L. Rolston. 2004-02-09. Electron Temperature of Ultracold Plasmas. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.92.253003

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