Plasma pressure broadening for few-electron emitters including strong electron collisions within a quantum-statistical theory

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2014 Feb;89(2):023106. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.89.023106. Epub 2014 Feb 21.

Abstract

To apply spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for dense plasmas, a theoretical approach to pressure broadening is indispensable. Here, a quantum-statistical theory is used to calculate spectral line shapes of few-electron atoms. Ionic perturbers are treated quasistatically as well as dynamically via a frequency fluctuation model. Electronic perturbers are treated in the impact approximation. Strong electron-emitter collisions are consistently taken into account with an effective two-particle T-matrix approach. Convergent close-coupling calculations give scattering amplitudes including Debye screening for neutral emitters. For charged emitters, the effect of plasma screening is estimated. The electron densities considered reach up to n(e) = 10(27) m(-3). Temperatures are between T = 10(4) and 10(5) K. The results are compared with a dynamically screened Born approximation for Lyman lines of H and H-like Li as well as for the He 3889 Å line. For the last, a comprehensive comparison to simulations and experiments is given. For the H Lyman-α line, the width and shift are drastically reduced by the Debye screening. In the T-matrix approach, the line shape is notably changed due to the dependence on the magnetic quantum number of the emitter, whereas the difference between spin-scattering channels is negligible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Electrons*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Nonlinear Dynamics*
  • Plasma Gases / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory*

Substances

  • Plasma Gases