Quantifying ionization in hot dense plasmas
Physical Review E American Physical Society 109 (2024) L023201
Abstract:
Ionization is a problematic quantity in that it does not have a well-defined thermodynamic definition, yet it is a key parameter within plasma modelling. One still therefore aims to find a consistent and unambiguous definition for the ionization state. Within this context we present finite-temperature density functional theory calculations of the ionization state of carbon in CH plasmas using two potential definitions: one based on counting the number of continuum electrons, and another based on the optical conductivity. Differences of up to 10% are observed between the two methods. However, including “Pauli forbidden” transitions in the conductivity reproduces the counting definition, suggesting such transitions are important to evaluate the ionization state.Crystal plasticity finite element simulation of lattice rotation and x-ray diffraction during laser shock compression of tantalum
Physical Review Materials American Physical Society (APS) 7:11 (2023) 113608
Dielectronic satellite emission from a solid-density Mg plasma: relationship to models of ionisation potential depression
(2023)
Investigating mechanisms of state localization in highly ionized dense plasmas
Physical Review E American Physical Society 108:3 (2023) 35210
Abstract:
We present experimental observations of Kβ emission from highly charged Mg ions at solid density, driven by intense x rays from a free electron laser. The presence of Kβ emission indicates the n = 3 atomic shell is relocalized for high charge states, providing an upper constraint on the depression of the ionization potential. We explore the process of state relocalization in dense plasmas from first principles using finite-temperature density functional theory alongside a wave-function localization metric, and find excellent agreement with experimental results.
Quantifying ionization in hot dense plasmas
(2023)