ABSTRACT:
Recent advances in trapping and cooling of neutral atomic gases have permitted
achieving ultralow temperatures far below 1K. With this, a wealth of new
research fields has opened up, not at all limited to the realization of Bose
Einstein condensation and related questions. In this talk, I will introduce
one of these research topics, namely the physics of ultracold neutral plasmas.
The fact that the plasma is many orders of magnitude colder than "conventional"
plasmas leads to some remarkable properties, akin to conditions realized in
exotic astrophysical environments. A theoretical description of these systems
relies on methods and concepts bridging the gap between traditional atomic
physics, plasma physics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. On the other hand,
this also means that the study of cold plasmas can provide new stimulus for all
of these fields.
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Atomic Physics Seminar Thursday, September 29, 2005 4:00 PM Physics Building, Room 313 Note special date. Note special time. Note special room. Special Atomic Seminar |
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