Centrifugal separation and equilibration dynamics in an electron-antiproton plasma

TL;DR

This study provides detailed measurements of centrifugal separation and equilibration dynamics in an electron-antiproton plasma, revealing unexpected constant equilibration times across various parameters, which is significant for antihydrogen trapping.

Contribution

First detailed measurement of centrifugal separation states and their dynamics in electron-antiproton plasmas, with novel observations of equilibration behavior.

Findings

Equilibrium states match theoretical predictions.

Equilibration time remains approximately constant over diverse parameters.

Results have implications for antihydrogen trapping experiments.

Abstract

Charges in cold, multiple-species, non-neutral plasmas separate radially by mass, forming centrifugally-separated states. Here, we report the first detailed measurements of such states in an electron-antiproton plasma, and the first observations of the separation dynamics in any centrifugally-separated system. While the observed equilibrium states are expected and in agreement with theory, the equilibration time is approximately constant over a wide range of parameters, a surprising and as yet unexplained result. Electron-antiproton plasmas play a crucial role in antihydrogen trapping experiments.