Physical processes underlying the formation of a steady-state ultracold nonideal plasma

The formation of a two-component steady-state nonideal ultracold plasma using an ionizing cw laser is directly simulated. It is shown that, in much the same way as the case of pulse ionization, the formation of steady-state plasma is determined by the electric field created by fast electrons leaving the plasma. This field accelerates ions and keeps remaining electrons within the plasma. In this case, continuous ionization results in the fast formation of a steady-state density and temperature distribution of plasma particles, which can exist for a long time, at a certain time, which depends on the initial energy of electrons and ions, as well as on the plasma density.