''Semiclassical'' bremsstrahlung calculations

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 717-723

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.8.717· OSTI ID:4396344

Oppenheim, A

The quantum calculation leading to the bremsstrahlung power density which varies as the square root of the plasma temperature T is reasonably successful in predicting the x-ray production when electrons bombard metal targets. It is expected to be useful in other cases where interaction times are small, such as when electrons stream through neutral gases, or when plasmas are sufficiently dense so that the number of particles in a Debye sphere is small. In the case of rarefied plasmas, for which there is no corresponding quantum treatment, common practice is to begin with classical orbit theory and either cut off in impact parameter or in frequency in order to obtain a power density which also varies as T/sup 1/2. We show that all such semiclassical'' treatments for rarefied plasmas are either physically or mathematically inconsistent; that the usual cutoffs in impact parameter do not lead to the expected T/sup 1/2 power density in the temperature range from O.01 eV to 1 keV; and that the spectrum of the power density obtained by cutting off at the de Broglie wavelength contains frequencies in excess of the usual one-photon emission limit. (auth)

• Research Organization: Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-006655
• OSTI ID: 4396344
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 717-723, Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 717-723; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ELECTRON COLLISIONS-- BREMSSTRAHLUNG
*PLASMA-- POWER DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
EV RANGE
ION TEMPERATURE
MILLI EV RANGE
N60100 --Physics (Atomic & Molecular)--Atomic
Electron
Ion & Molecular Beams & Reactions
N70300* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Kinetics (General)
X RADIATION