A consistent approach for mixed detailed and statistical calculation of opacities in hot plasmas

TL;DR

The paper introduces SCORCG, a hybrid opacity code that combines statistical and detailed calculations to accurately model plasma spectra, aiding interpretation and validation of experimental data.

Contribution

A novel hybrid code, SCORCG, integrates statistical and fine-structure methods for improved plasma opacity calculations, especially for mid-Z elements.

Findings

Successfully models complex plasma spectra with detailed features.

Provides accurate opacities for hot plasmas and mid-Z elements.

Useful for interpreting laser and Z-pinch experimental spectra.

Abstract

Absorption and emission spectra of plasmas with multicharged-ions contain transition arrays with a huge number of coalescent electric-dipole (E1) lines, which are well suited for treatment by the unresolved transition array and derivative methods. But, some transition arrays show detailed features whose description requires diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix. We developed a hybrid opacity code, called SCORCG, which combines statistical approaches with fine-structure calculations consistently. Data required for the computation of detailed transition arrays (atomic configurations and atomic radial integrals) are calculated by the super-configuration code SCO (Super-Configuration Opacity), which provides an accurate description of the plasma screening effects on the wave-functions. Level energies as well as position and strength of spectral lines are computed by an adapted RCG routine of R. D. Cowan. The resulting code provides opacities for hot plasmas and can handle mid-Z elements. The code is also a powerful tool for the interpretation of recent laser and Z-pinch experimental spectra, as well as for validation of statistical methods.