# Contribution of electron-atom collisions to the plasma conductivity of noble gases

## TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive model for plasma conductivity in noble gases, incorporating electron-atom collisions with an optical potential, and compares the results with experimental data to understand their contribution at low temperatures.

## Contribution

It introduces a unified optical potential approach for electron-atom scattering applicable to all noble gases, enhancing the accuracy of conductivity predictions in dense plasmas.

## Key findings

- Electron-atom collisions significantly affect plasma conductivity at low temperatures.
- The proposed optical potential aligns well with experimental scattering data.
- Medium effects alter the Ramsauer minimum position in electron-atom scattering.

## Abstract

We present an approach which allows the consistent treatment of bound states in the context of the dc conductivity in dense partially ionized noble gas plasmas. Besides electron-ion and electron-electron collisions, further collision mechanisms owing to neutral constituents are taken into account. Especially at low temperatures $T\approx 1 {\rm eV}$, electron-atom collisions give a substantial contribution to the relevant correlation functions. We suggest an optical potential for the description of the electron-atom scattering which is applicable for all noble gases. The electron-atom momentum-transfer cross section is in agreement with experimental scattering data. In addition the influence of the medium is analysed, the optical potential is advanced including screening effects. The position of the Ramsauer minimum is influenced by the plasma. Alternative approaches for the electron-atom potential are discussed. Calculations of the electrical conductivity are compared with experimental data.