Ion scattering from strong turbulence with long-range correlations

Colliding plasmas can excite strong Langmuir turbulence in which collective correlations affect the probability distribution P(E) of the electric microfield. This can be modeled by including long-range correlations but not dynamics over lengths >>λD. Earlier work yielded a characteristic distribution P(E)∝Ed-1exp(-E2/ left angle E2 right angle ), with d the dimensionality of the electric field and left angle E2 right angle proportional to the square of the correlated particle density. Ions scatter from this localized strong turbulence at rates greatly exceeding classical collisions for solar coronal conditions, while laboratory ion beams have no appreciable scatter beyond the Coulomb rate. ((orig.))