Internal energy of the classical two- and three-dimensional one-component-plasma

Abstract

We summarize several semi-phenomenological approaches to estimate the internal energy of one-component-plasma (OCP) in two (2D) and three (3D) dimensions. Particular attention is given to a hybrid approach, which reproduces the Debye-H$\ddot{\text{u}}$ckel asymptote in the limit of weak coupling, the ion sphere (3D) and ion disc (2D) asymptotes in the limit of strong coupling, and provides reasonable interpolation between these two limits. More accurate ways to estimate the internal energy of 2D and 3D OCP are also discussed. The accuracy of these analytic results is quantified by comparison with existing data from numerical simulations. The relevance of the KTHNY theory in locating melting transition in 2D OCP is briefly discussed.