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An introduction to the physics of the Coulomb logarithm, with emphasis on quantum-mechanical effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2019

J. A. Krommes Open the ORCID record for J. A. Krommes [Opens in a new window]
J. A. Krommes*
Affiliation:
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, MS 28, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, NJ 08543–0451, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: krommes@princeton.edu
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Abstract

An introduction to the physical interpretation of the Coulomb logarithm is given with particular emphasis on the quantum-mechanical corrections that are required at high temperatures. Excerpts from the literature are used to emphasize the historical understanding of the topic, which emerged more than a half-century ago. Several misinterpretations are noted. Quantum-mechanical effects are related to diffraction by scales of the order of the Debye screening length; they are not due to quantum uncertainty related to the much smaller distance of closest approach.

Keywords

plasma propertiesquantum plasma
Type
Tutorial
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 85 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , 925850101
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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