Evolution of ultracold neutral plasmas

We present the first large-scale simulations of an ultracold neutral plasma, produced by photoionization of laser-cooled xenon atoms, from creation to initial expansion, using classical molecular-dynamics methods with open boundary conditions. We reproduce many of the experimental findings such as the trapping efficiency of electrons with increased ion number; a minimum electron temperature achieved on approach to the photoionization threshold, and recombination into Rydberg states of an anomalously low principal quantum number. In addition, many of these effects establish themselves very early in the plasma evolution (similar to ns) before the present experimental observations begin.