Measuring Electron-Ion Collision rates versus temperature in Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

Ultracold neutral plasmas allow for table-top-scale experimental study of plasma physics including electron-ion collisions. Electron-ion collisions play an important role in energy transport, stopping power, and laser excitation among other physical plasma phenomena. We have conducted an experimental measurement of the variation of AC conductivity vs. electron temperature in ultracold neutral plasmas. The measurements have been conducted at at moderate and extreme magnetizations. Preliminary results of these experiments, as well as how they compare to common theories such as linear response theory and binary collision theory, will be presented.