All-Order Full-Coulomb Quantum Spectral Line Shape Calculations

Understanding how atoms interact with hot dense matter (HDM) is essential for astrophysical and laboratory plasmas modeling and analysis. In high density plasmas, spectral lines are significantly pressure broadened. Line shape calculations and measurements thus provide a rare window that lets us examine how atoms interact in dense plasmas, for example inside stars.

 

Up to now, spectral line-shape theories employed at least one of the following approximations: dipole, 2^nd-order perturbation, and semi-classical. Here, we remove all three approximations simultaneously for the first time and test the importance for two applications: neutral hydrogen and highly-ionized magnesium. We found 15-50% change in the spectral line widths. We will discuss potential impact on white-dwarf spectroscopy, and plasma diagnostics.