Plasma opacity calculations using the Starrett and Saumon average-atom model with ion correlations

TL;DR

This paper calculates plasma opacities for specific elements using an advanced average-atom model that includes ion correlations, highlighting differences from previous models and their impact on opacity estimates.

Contribution

It introduces a refined average-atom model with ion correlations and compares it to earlier models, revealing more accurate plasma opacity calculations.

Findings

The new model shows reduced ion correlation effects compared to Rozsnyai's model.

Ion correlations significantly influence plasma opacity calculations.

Previous models overestimate ion correlation effects on opacities.

Abstract

We present the opacities of iron, aluminum, and bromine plasmas calculated using the Starrett and Saumon average-atom model allowing for ion correlations. We show that the use of earlier average-atom ion-correlation model of Rozsnyai, as has recently been done in the solar opacity calculations, overestimates the effect of ion correlations on plasma opacities. The reason for this overestimation is discussed.