One-Electron Atom Immersed in a Plasma.
Abstract
The problem of an electron which is both bound in an attractive screened Coulomb potential and under the simultaneous influence of an external electric field is considered. The total energy Hamiltonian is derived for the case of a one-electron atom immersed in a plasma. A suitable ground-state trial wave function incorporates the appropriate induced dipole character of the charge configuration when subjected to the plasma's free-particle uniform electric field. A variational-principle calculation of the ground-state energy is performed and compared with second-order perturbation theory. The ionization field for the hydrogen ls-state is determined and found to give a new upper bound. The effect of screening and electric field on other observables are likewise calculated. The disappearance of spectral lines originating from high energy levels, which has been shown to occur in both solar and laboratory hydrogen plasmas, is discussed. The value of inverse Debye length resulting in the true experimental value of the ionization field for the hydrogen ls-state is determined. Conclusions are drawn, and recommendations given for future areas of investigation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731767
Entities
People
- R. L. Ross
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command