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Title: Observation of an Ultracold Plasma Instability

Abstract

We present the first observation of an instability in an expanding ultracold plasma. We observe periodic emission of electrons from an ultracold plasma in weak, crossed magnetic and electric fields, and a strongly perturbed electron density distribution in electron time-of-flight projection images. We identify this instability as a high-frequency electron drift instability due to the coupling between the electron drift wave and electron cyclotron harmonic, which has large wave numbers corresponding to wavelengths close to the electron gyroradius.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21179895
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physical Review Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 101; Journal Issue: 19; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.195002; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; CYCLOTRONS; ELECTRIC FIELDS; ELECTRON DENSITY; ELECTRON DRIFT; ELECTRON EMISSION; ELECTRONS; PERIODICITY; PLASMA; PLASMA INSTABILITY; TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD; WAVELENGTHS

Citation Formats

Zhang, X L, Fletcher, R S, and Rolston, S L. Observation of an Ultracold Plasma Instability. United States: N. p., 2008. Web. doi:10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.101.195002.
Zhang, X L, Fletcher, R S, & Rolston, S L. Observation of an Ultracold Plasma Instability. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.101.195002
Zhang, X L, Fletcher, R S, and Rolston, S L. 2008. "Observation of an Ultracold Plasma Instability". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.101.195002.
@article{osti_21179895,
title = {Observation of an Ultracold Plasma Instability},
author = {Zhang, X L and Fletcher, R S and Rolston, S L},
abstractNote = {We present the first observation of an instability in an expanding ultracold plasma. We observe periodic emission of electrons from an ultracold plasma in weak, crossed magnetic and electric fields, and a strongly perturbed electron density distribution in electron time-of-flight projection images. We identify this instability as a high-frequency electron drift instability due to the coupling between the electron drift wave and electron cyclotron harmonic, which has large wave numbers corresponding to wavelengths close to the electron gyroradius.},
doi = {10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.101.195002},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21179895}, journal = {Physical Review Letters},
issn = {0031-9007},
number = 19,
volume = 101,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2008},
month = {Fri Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2008}
}