Ion holes in the hydrodynamic regime in ultracold neutral plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4802813· OSTI ID:22130486

McQuillen, P.; Castro, J.; Strickler, T.; Bradshaw, S. J.; Killian, T. C. ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005 (United States)

We describe the creation of localized density perturbations, or ion holes, in an ultracold neutral plasma in the hydrodynamic regime, and show that the holes propagate at the local ion acoustic wave speed. We also observe the process of hole splitting, which results from the formation of a density depletion initially at rest in the plasma. One-dimensional, two-fluid hydrodynamic simulations describe the results well. Measurements of the ion velocity distribution also show the effects of the ion hole and confirm the hydrodynamic conditions in the plasma.

• OSTI ID: 22130486
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 20; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
HOLES
HYDRODYNAMICS
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
IONS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
TRANSPORT THEORY
VELOCITY