Collision times in plasmas are usually defined in connection with the time evolution of the ensemble-averaged scattering angle . Extrapolating the short-time behaviour ϑshort(t), one obtains the collision time tc by setting ϑshort(tc) = π/2. We have shown with the help of computer simulations that this procedure is ambiguous, as we can clearly distinguish three regimes for ϑ(t). There is always an initial ballistic regime with ϑ(t) ∝ t with dominant pairwise interactions. This lasts up to times α/υth where α is the mean distance between the particles and υth their mean velocity. This is followed by a diffusive regime with ϑ(t) ∝ t½, which is characterized by many small-angle scattering events. Eventually, this diffusion will lead to a uniform distribution of the directions of the velocity. So ϑ(t) will saturate towards π/2 in a third asymptotic regime. For large plasma parameters Γ ≫ 1, this asymptotic behaviour will be modulated by a damped oscillation of ϑ(t) with the plasma frequency. For such strongly coupled plasmas the diffusive regime is suppressed and one observes a direct transition from the initial ballistic to the asymptotic collective regime characterized by the plasma oscillation. Parameters such as the diffusion constant and the transition times are estimated with the help of analytical models.

This paper is devoted to a systematic investigation of linear transport properties in strongly coupled binary ionic mixtures of pointlike ions interacting solely through Coulomb interactions. The basic formalism rests upon suitable extensions of the Boltzmann–Ziman equation explained in this work. Validity conditions for the Lorentzian approximation are thoroughly discussed as well as entropy arguments. High temperature inelastic contributions are emphasized out.

The irradiation of cylindrical targets by intense heavy ion beams was studied using a two-dimensional numerical simulation code including radiation effects on the hydrodynamical flow. Solid and hollow Aluminum targets as well as gas tubes are studied for various beam configurations with a view to identifying the characteristic features of the flow and possible observables, especially the emitted radiation from Xenon gas tubes.

A high resolution shock capturing numerical scheme in Lagrangian geometry is presented for ion beam target simulations. The scheme can accommodate any given analytical or tabular equation of state. Numerical results for a number of test problems show that the scheme is free from spurious numerical oscillations near strong gradients. Results are also presented for the simulation of a typical proton beam from the pinch reflex diode of Karlsruhe light ion beam facility KALIF incident on slab aluminum target.

The 12-beam, photodisssociative iodine laser system ISKRA V has been built for laser fusion research. In this article we describe the optical scheme, elements and parameters of the output radiation. Pulse power of 100 TW was achieved in the preliminary experiments.

The hydrodynamic flow in cylindrical aluminum targets irradiated by intense Xenon beams is discussed for three different beam-target combinations. Solid targets, targets with enclosed cavities, and hollow beams are considered to study the effects of energy deposition and compression waves in matter. Emphasis is put on the occurrence of converging shock waves. The assumed beam intensity of 40TW/cm2 is in the scope of the GSI-SIS/ESR facility that will start operating in 1990/91.

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic code, including the energy deposition of heavy ions, a realistic equation of state, and realistic transport coefficients, is used in numerical simulations to obtain information on the temperature and density distributions and the relevant time scales that have to be expected in these experiments.