Electron capture rates in a plasma

TL;DR

This paper derives a new general expression for nuclear electron capture rates in dense plasmas, challenging existing assumptions and providing insights into plasma effects on these rates.

Contribution

It introduces a novel general formula for electron capture rates in dense plasmas and questions traditional calculation assumptions.

Findings

The new expression qualitatively differs from previous models.

Perturbative evaluation supports skepticism of standard assumptions.

Raises questions about the accuracy of existing plasma effect calculations.

Abstract

A new general expression is derived for nuclear electron capture rates within dense plasmas. Its qualitative nature leads us to question some widely accepted assumptions about how to calculate the effects of the plasma on the rates. A perturbative evaluation, though not directly applicable to the strongly interacting case, appears to bear out these suspicions.