Electronic broadening model for high-n Balmer line profiles
Résumé
A method for line profile computations of Stark broadened high principal quantum number (PQN) Balmer series transitions is presented. Since quasistatic electron effects must be included in these cases, the traditional low density/low quantum number impact approximation for the electron broadening operator cannot describe the entire profile. For the high plasma densities and/or high principal quantum numbers (PQN>12) considered, an improved electron broadening contribution is proposed. Using a frequency dependent electron broadening operator, the line profile of the H Balmer n=13 transition is calculated using this electron operator and compared with profiles obtained using very accurate numerical simulations. The good agreement suggests that the procedure is sufficiently accurate to provide a predictive capability.