On Ionization in a Non-ideal Two-temperature Plasma
S. A. Trigger
Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow, Russia
Abstract
For a classical two-temperature non-ideal plasma, in which temperature
equilibration is slowed down due to the small mass ratio of electrons to
heavy particles, the concentrations of electrons, ions, and atoms have
been determined. The use of a generalized chemical equilibrium condition
leads to a reduction in the ionization potential due to the Coulomb
interaction between electrons and ions. Taking a hydrogen-like plasma as
an example, it is shown that the effective ionization potential depends
on both temperatures and decreases as the temperature difference
increases.