Binary Correlations in Ionized Gases

Abstract

An equation of evolution for the binary distribution function in a classical homogeneous, non‐equilibrium plasma is derived. It is shown that the asymptotic (long‐time) solution of this equation is the Debye distribution, thus providing a rigorous dynamical derivation of the equilibrium distribution. This proof is free from the fundamental conceptual difficulties of conventional equilibrium derivations. Out of equilibrium, a closed formula is obtained for the long living correlations, in terms of the momentum distribution function. These results should form an appropriate starting point for a rigorous theory of transport phenomena in plasmas, including the effect of molecular correlations.