Molecular dynamics calculation of the thermal conductivity and shear viscosity of the classical one-component plasma

The thermal conductivity lambda and shear viscosity eta of the three-dimensional classical one-component plasma (OCP) were determined by molecular dynamics experiments. In the simulations the velocity of the particles was spatially modulated, and the transport coefficients were calculated from the relaxation time of the modulation profile. The results are given for the 2 less than or equal to Gamma less than or equal to 125 range of the plasma coupling parameter G. The reduced shear viscosity eta* was found to exhibit a minimum at Gamma = 20 in agreement with previous calculations. In the 2 less than or equal to Gamma less than or equal to 10 range our method yields eta* values 20%-50% higher compared to some of the previously obtained data, while very good agreement was found at the position of the minimum of eta*. The reduced thermal conductivity lambda* exhibits a minimum (similarly to eta*) at Gamma between 15 and 20. The calculations presented here result in 30%-40% lower thermal conductivity compared to previously available data. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(00)01601-3].