Summary
This award supports a study of the fundamental properties of warm dense matter (WDM), a poorly understood plasma state of matter made of electrons and ions at high density and relatively low temperature. The focus of the study will be on WDM formed under the influence of unusually energetic “non-thermal” electrons. These electrons travel at nearly the speed of light, penetrate deep into dense plasma, and change how energy is transported and how matter is heated under extreme conditions. A better understanding of these processes is important for both natural and laboratory systems, including so
