Kinetic approach to temperature relaxation in dense plasmas

The relaxation of nonideal two-temperature plasmas is investigated with a kinetic approach. First the energy transfer between the electrons and ions is described using different approximations: the energy transfer through classical collisions (Landau-Spitzer approach) is reviewed; quantum diffraction and strong collisions are included by applying the quantum Boltzmann equation; the influence of collective modes is considered on the basis of the LenardBalescu equation (coupled modes) and with the Fermi-Golden-Rule approach (independent electron and ion modes). Finally, the evolution of the species temperature is investigated. In nonideal plasmas, changes in the correlation energy have to be taken into account during the relaxation. It is demonstrated that ionic correlations can significantly influence the relaxation (particularly the evolution of the ion temperature).