Mean force emission theory for classical bremsstrahlung in strongly coupled plasmas

Journal Article · 30 April 2024 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0202211 · OSTI ID:2567802

Kinney, J. P. ; LeFevre, H. J. ; Kuranz, C. C. ; Baalrud, S. D.

This work presents mean force emission theory, which extends the classical theory of bremsstrahlung emission to strongly coupled plasmas. In the high-frequency limit, the theory reduces to solving for the electron trajectory during a binary collision, but where the electron–ion interactions occur through the potential of mean force. In the low-frequency limit, it uses an autocorrelation formalism that captures effects of multiple collisions and strongly correlated motion. The predictions are benchmarked by comparison with first-principles classical molecular dynamics simulations of a fully ionized hydrogen plasma in which all interactions are repulsive. The comparison shows good agreement up to Coulomb coupling strengths of Γ∼30. The theory improves upon traditional models by including strong coupling effects and systematically including the effect of multiple collisions. Furthermore, mean force emission theory provides evidence that the Drude correction factor commonly used in quantum calculations of optical quantities may not be adequate at strong coupling.

• Research Organization: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0004100
• OSTI ID: 2567802
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 31; ISSN 1070-664X
• Publisher: American Institute of PhysicsCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English