2-TEMPERATURE RELAXATION IN NONIDEAL PARTIALLY-IONIZED PLASMAS

Evolution equations for the coupled relaxation of densities and temper atures for the components in nonideal partially ionized plasmas are gi ven. In these equations many-body effects, such as screening, self-ene rgy, and lowering of the binding energy, are included. The coupled equ ations are solved numerically for a hydrogen plasma consisting of elec trons, protons, and atoms. Impact ionization, three-body recombination , and elastic processes are taken into account. Thermal relaxation tim es are determined and the results are compared with those from the lit erature. The influence of many-body effects on the evolution process a re discussed. In some cases, a significantly increased lifetime of the two-temperature regime is found. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physi cs.