Influence of the plasma environment on auto-ionization. (15th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Belkhiri, Madeny; Fontes, Christopher J
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 49:Number 17(2016:Sep. 01)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-15
• Subjects: autoionization -- ion-sphere -- plasma potential -- FAC -- GIPPER; Atoms -- Periodicals; Molecules -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; 539.6
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/49/17/175002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4075

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we show the influence of the plasma environment on the auto-ionization rate using an ion-sphere model. We consider transitions from the He-like to the H-like ion stage of aluminum for illustrative purposes, but the approach is completely general and can be applied to arbitrary, highly charged ions. A detailed numerical investigation and comparison is made between two independent computational schemes, using the relativistic configuration-average, distorted-wave approach. We show that the decreasing behavior of the auto-ionization rates as a function of free-electron density is due to a change in the quantum interference between the bound and free electrons, and also provide a qualitative explanation of this trend.