Slowing Down of Ions by Ultrahigh-Density Electron Plasma

The slowing down of ions by a degenerate electron plasma is calculated by means of the random-phase approximation. It is shown that high compressions greatly reduce the ability of electrons to slow down ions. These results indicate that nuclear burning of a DT plasma can proceed as a chain reaction, even at low temperature, at densities about ${10}^5$ times the solid density.