Plasma conductivity from warm dense matter to the Spitzer limit using mean-force kinetic theory
A theoretical model is developed to compute electronic transport coefficients extending from warm and dense to hot and dilute plasma conditions. This kinetic theory-based approach models strong Coulomb correlations by treating interactions using the potential of mean force, electron degeneracy using the Uehling-Uhlenbeck equation, and diffraction by computing cross sections quantum mechanically. The result provides a fast and accurate means to compute electrical conductivity,thermal conductivity and electrothermal coefficients, including contributions from electron-electron interactions. The model enables accurate calculation of materials properties in many warm dense matter systems, including inertial confinement fusion, stellar evolution, and high energy density plasma experiments.
Authors
- Lucas J. Babati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2857-2425)
- Nathaniel R. Shaffer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0710-0026)
- Louis Jose (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8495-5095)
- Scott Baalrud
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical Review Letters
- Published
- 2026-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/177n-4yfm
- Primary Topic
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00