On Ionization in a Non-ideal Two-temperature Plasma

For a classical two-temperature non-ideal plasma, in which temperature equilibration is slowed down due to the small mass ratio of electrons to heavy particles, the concentrations of electrons, ions, and atoms have been determined. The use of a generalized chemical equilibrium condition leads to a reduction in the ionization potential due to the Coulomb interaction between electrons and ions. Taking a hydrogen-like plasma as an example, it is shown that the effective ionization potential depends on both temperatures and decreases as the temperature difference increases.