The computer ab initio simulation and analytical theory that revealed unexpected nonergodic properties in a classical Coulomb plasma are reviewed. The results of a many-charged-particle system simulation predict the possible existence of a real metastable plasma, supercooled with respect to its degree of ionisation. The existence of such a plasma state is a consequence of the entropy conservation in isolated Hamiltonian systems free from any stochastic action from outside. The occurrence of a metastable supercooled plasma-similar to a supercooled vapour or superheated liquid- depends on two conditions. Firstly, all the charged particles should behave exactly according to the laws of classical mechanics (hence, most negatively-charged particles should preferably be heavy ions). Secondly, the plasma ionisation degree should be sufficiently high (α>10^-3) . It is shown from thermodynamic consiferations that a mixture of a supercooled plasma with an ideal gas might form a plasmoid of the ball lightning type.

PACS: 52.20.j, 52.25.Jm DOI: 10.1070/PU1994v037n03ABEH000013 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1994/3/d/ A1994NH30100004 Citation: Mayorov S A, Tkachev A N, Yakovlenko S I "Metastable supercooled plasma" Phys. Usp. 37 279–288 (1994) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Майоров С А, Ткачев A Н, Яковленко С И «Метастабильная переохлажденная плазма» УФН 164 297–307 (1994); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0164.199403d.0297