We investigate the possibility of forming a strongly coupled ion plasma from a cold atomic gas. We show that rapid ion heating occurs as correlations develop from the initial disordered configuration. This heating severely reduces the Coulomb coupling of the final configuration, although the final Coulomb coupling can be maximized by introducing order into the initial atomic gas. We show that such order can be introduced into the initial state by employing a degenerate Fermi gas whereby the Pauli hole mimics the Coulomb hole. The corresponding initial state correlations can enhance the Coulomb coupling in the final state by orders of magnitude.

Temperature equilibration in dense, strongly coupled plasmas has been investigated without most of the usual simplifying assumptions. A quantum kinetic approach is used that accounts for strong electron-ion collisions through an exact T-matrix treatment of the scattering cross section using a screened interaction. Our results reveal the accuracy of the usual Spitzer formula for Coulomb logarithms larger than about three. Moreover, a simple model based on hyperbolic orbits yields surprisingly accurate results. We also have included equation of state effects to describe realistic plasmas.

Ionic transport coefficients for dense plasmas have been numerically computed using an effective Boltzmann approach. We have developed a simplified effective potential approach that yields accurate fits for all of the relevant cross sections and collision integrals. Our results have been validated with molecular-dynamics simulations for self-diffusion, interdiffusion, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. Molecular dynamics has also been used to examine the underlying assumptions of the Boltzmann approach through a categorization of behaviors of the velocity autocorrelation function in the Yukawa phase diagram. Using a velocity-dependent screening model, we examine the role of dynamical screening in transport. Implications of these results for Coulomb logarithm approaches are discussed.

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