Phase transition in a plasma with anisotropic electron distribution in an external magnetic field

A phase transition is discussed that can occur in a plasma with substantially different transverse and longitudinal temperatures of electrons moving in a magnetic field, ĭ. The Debye cloud surrounding an ion sharply contracts as T∥ decreases or the magnetic field increases. The effect of larger radiative electron-ion recombination cross sections compared with their theoretical values is explained; this effect is observed in storage rings with electron cooling systems (coolers). The role played by the phase transition in the crystallization of ion beams is discussed.