Dielectronic recombination theory

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3470-9_5· OSTI ID:10110321

LaGattuta, K J

A theory now in wide use for the calculation of dielectronic recombination cross sections ({sigma}{sup DR}) and rate coefficients ({alpha}{sup DR}) was one introduced originally by Feshbach for nuclear physics applications, and then later adapted for atomic scattering problems by Hahn. In the following, we briefly review this theory in a very general form, which allows one to account for the effects of overlapping and interacting resonances, as well as continuum-continuum coupling. An extension of our notation will then also allow for the inclusion of the effects of direct radiative recombination, along with a treatment of the interference between radiative and dielectronic recombination. Other approaches to the calculation of {sigma}{sup DR} have been described by Fano and by Seaton. We will not consider those theories here. Calculations of {alpha}{sup DR} have progressed considerably over the last 25 years, since the early work of Burgess. Advances in the reliability of theoretical predictions have also been promoted recently b a variety of direct laboratory measurements of {sigma}{sup DR}. While the measurements of {sigma}{sup DR} for {delta}n {ne} 0 excitations have tended to agree very well with calculations, the case of {delta}n = 0 has been much problematic. However, by invoking a mechanism originally proposed by Jacobs, which takes into account the effect of stray electric fields on high Rydberg states (HRS) participating in the DR process, new calculations have improved the agreement between theory and experiment for these cases. Nevertheless, certain discrepancies still remain.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10110321
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--91-3849; CONF-9110313--1; ON: DE92005020
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

664300
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
AUTOIONIZATION
CALCULATION METHODS
COLLISION PHENOMENA
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON-ION COLLISIONS
HAMILTONIANS
RECOMBINATION
RYDBERG STATES
WAVE FUNCTIONS