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  • Open Access

Plasma screening effects in Stark broadening: A fully relativistic close-coupling approach

Chao Wu1, Yong Wu2,3, Yu Hao Zhu4, Ming Li1, Jian Guo Wang2, and Xiang Gao2,*

  • *Contact author: gao_xiang@iapcm.ac.cn
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023105 – Published 1 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7gkj-qyl7

Abstract

Stark broadening of spectral lines in plasmas is a cornerstone of opacity modeling and plasma diagnostics, with critical implications for controlled fusion and astrophysics. Despite recent advances in fully quantum-mechanical close-coupling calculations for electron-impact broadening, the impact of denser plasma environments remains largely unexplored due to theoretical bottlenecks associated with electron-ion collision processes. Based on our close-coupling theory for electron-ion collisions in plasmas, which resolves the problem of extracting short-range scattering phase shifts, we introduce a fully relativistic close-coupling approach for the Stark broadening that incorporates plasma screening effects. Systematic investigations of hydrogenic radiators reveal distinct patterns of line broadening dependence on plasma conditions, offering valuable insights for plasma diagnostic applications. Furthermore, we provide a quantum-mechanical interpretation of the screening factor commonly introduced in semiclassical impact theories. This work establishes a robust foundation for future studies on complex atomic systems in high-density plasmas.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023105– Published 1 May, 2026
  • Received 2 February 2026
  • Accepted 11 April 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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