Early Dynamics of Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

We report new studies on the early-time dynamics of ultracold neutral plasmas. We use fluorescence spectroscopy to probe plasma dynamics on the nanosecond time scale. We determine the rms ion velocity during the initial plasma period. The initial ion acceleration is found as the time derivative of the ion velocity. We compare to a theoretical model. The experimental results agree with the model at low plasma densities. However, the ion acceleration is a factor of ten lower than the model at higher densities. The cause of this discrepancy is currently unknown.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Denning, Adam W.

• UNP
• UCP
• ultracold neutral plasma
• atomic physics
• Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Physics

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1469

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-2468