Molecular-dynamics simulations are used to investigate temperature relaxation between electrons and ions in a fully ionized, classical Coulomb plasma with minimal assumptions. Recombination is avoided by using like charges. The relaxation rate agrees with theory in the weak coupling limit ($g\equiv \mathrm{\text{potential}}/\mathrm{\text{kinetic energy}}\ll 1$), whereas it saturates at $g>1$ due to correlation effects. The “Coulomb log” is found to be independent of the ion charge (at constant $g$) and mass ratio $>25$.

• Received 3 June 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.135001