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Electron Line Broadening in Plasmas: Resolution of the Quantum vs. Semiclassical Calculations Puzzle

Conference ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1370605· OSTI ID:15014195
Puzzling discrepancies between on the one hand quantum mechanical (QM) electron impact calculations of isolated ion lines and on the other hand experimental data and nonperturbative semiclassical (SC) calculations are reviewed. The origin of these discrepancies was a standard line-broadening literature estimate of the wavefunction extent. The nonperturbative semiclassical calculations are further improved by dropping the long-range approximation and allowing penetrating collisions. This results in excellent agreement with fully quantal calculations for the case of the BIII 2s-2p line. On the other hand the standard perturbative semiclassical method is inadequate even in this particular example, where perturbation theory is valid. Further, the assumption of neglecting the back-reaction in semiclassical calculations is examined.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
15014195
Report Number(s):
UCRL-PROC-204190
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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