Effects of Coulomb Coupling On Friction In Strongly Magnetized Plasmas

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore how Coulomb coupling affects friction forces on particles in strongly magnetized plasmas, revealing new force components not predicted by existing theories.

Contribution

It uncovers novel friction force components in strongly coupled, strongly magnetized plasmas through first-principles simulations, expanding understanding beyond current kinetic models.

Findings

Transverse friction component increases in strongly coupled plasmas.

A third force component aligned with the Lorentz force is observed.

Results suggest significant implications for plasma transport phenomena.

Abstract

The friction force on a test particle traveling through a plasma that is both strongly coupled and strongly magnetized is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. In addition to the usual stopping power component aligned antiparallel to the velocity, a transverse component that is perpendicular to both the velocity and Lorentz force is observed. This component, which was recently discovered in weakly coupled plasmas, is found to increase in both absolute and relative magnitude in the strongly coupled regime. Strong coupling is also observed to induce a third component of the friction force in the direction of the Lorentz force. These first-principles simulations reveal novel physics associated with collisions in strongly coupled, strongly magnetized, plasmas that are not predicted by existing kinetic theories. The effect is expected to influence macroscopic transport in a number of laboratory experiments and astrophysical plasmas.