RUI: Characterization and Control of Electron Dynamics in an Ultracold Plasma

本实验计划的重点是观察和控制超冷电荷样品中物质的新状态和相变。这种系统是由光致电离激光冷却原子产生的，最近一直是激烈的实验和理论活动的主题。一种创新的仪器使人们能够对自由和受限超冷电荷样品中的丰富行为进行新的研究，将其与原子、等离子体和凝聚态物理联系起来。最初的测量将阐明早期的、长达100纳秒的自由等离子体动力学，在这个过程中，到目前为止，已经有许多理论预测，但没有实验证实。早期的行为预计包括相关能量的释放，碰撞原子的复合，以及相关的等离子体加热。以后的工作将集中在施加磁场和驻留光电场来限制样品中的有效电子迁移率。这个项目是由六名罗文大学本科生的密集参与推动的，他们接受了许多方面的实验和理论培训。由于这个项目的新的跨学科性质，学生们继续在原子、等离子体和凝聚态物理之间建立有意义的联系。将鼓励他们陪同国际和平研究所参加这些分领域的会议，并将参与编写报告以供出版。

This program of experiments focuses on the observation and control of novel states of matter and phase transitions in ultracold charge samples. Created by photo-ionizing laser cooled atoms, this type of system has recently been the subject of intense experimental and theoretical activity. An innovative apparatus enables new studies on a rich array of behavior in both free and confined ultracold charge samples, making connections to atomic, plasma, and condensed matter physics. Initial measurements will elucidate the early, up to 100 nanoseconds, free plasma dynamics, a regime in which many theoretical predictions have been made, so far without experimental confirmation. The early behavior is expected to include the release of correlation energy, collisional atomic recombination, and associated plasma heating. Later work will focus on applying a magnetic field and standing optical electric field to restrict effective electron mobility in the sample. This project has been propelled by the intense involvement of six Rowan undergraduates, who have received training in many aspects of experiment and theory. Due to the novel interdisciplinary nature of this project, students continue to make meaningful connections between atomic, plasma, and condensed matter physics. They will be encouraged to accompany the PI to conferences in these subfields, and will also participate in writing reports for publication.