Calculating Opacity in Hot, Dense Matter Using Second-Order Electron-Photon and Two-Photon Transitions to Approximate Line Broadening

Calculations of the opacity of hot, dense matter require models for plasma line broadening. However, the most general theories are too complex to calculate directly and some approximation is inevitably required. The most widely used approaches focus on the line center, where a Lorentzian shape is ob...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2020-10, Vol.125 (14), p.1-145002, Article 145002
Main Authors: Baggott, R. A., Rose, S. J., Mangles, S. P. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Line broadening
Opacity
Photons
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Calculations of the opacity of hot, dense matter require models for plasma line broadening. However, the most general theories are too complex to calculate directly and some approximation is inevitably required. The most widely used approaches focus on the line center, where a Lorentzian shape is obtained. Here, we demonstrate that in the opposite limit, far from the line center, the opacity can be expressed in terms of second-order transitions, such as electron-photon and two-photon processes. We suggest that this insight could form the basis for a new approach to improve calculations of opacity in hot, dense matter. Preliminary calculations suggest that this approach could yield increased opacity away from absorption lines.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.145002