= Elastic rethermalization of a trapped atomic gas
{title2=$\Gamma_{\rm el}\sim n\sigma_{\rm el}\bar v$}
After energy-selective loss, <elastic collisions> redistribute <energy> and refill the escaping tail. This restores a nearly thermal distribution when redistribution is fast compared with the changing cutoff and unwanted atom loss. The collision rate depends on <number density>, <cross section>, and relative speed; slowing atoms alone does not guarantee continued equilibration.
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