Molecular-dynamics simulations of electron-ion temperature relaxation in a classical Coulomb plasma

Molecular-dynamics simulations are used to investigate temperature relaxation between electrons and ions in a fully ionized, classical Coulomb plasma with minimal assumptions. Recombination is avoided by using like charges. The relaxation rate agrees with theory in the weak coupling limit ( g equivalent to potential/kinetic energy << 1), whereas it saturates at g > 1 due to correlation effects. The Coulomb log'' is found to be independent of the ion charge (at constant g) and mass ratio > 25.