Work

Plasma hydrodynamics from mean force kinetic theory

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mean force kinetic theory is used to evaluate the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, electrothermal coefficient, thermoelectric coefficient, and shear viscosity of a two-component plasma. The results are compared with molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations are made possible by assuming a repulsive Coulomb force for all interactions. Good agreement is found for all coefficients up to a Coulomb coupling strength of Γ≈20. This is over 100-times larger than the coupling strength at which traditional theories break down. It is concluded that mean force kinetic theory is a promising framework for extending hydrodynamics to dense plasmas.

Source: Physics of Plasmas

DOI: 10.1063/5.0311862

Authors: Jarett LeVan, Scott D. Baalrud

Institution: University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Dust and Plasma Wave Phenomena

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Krell Institute

Awards: G2966050202, G3368156615