Mean field contributions to spectral line shifts

Abstract

Calculations of spectral line shifts produced by the plasma mean field, or plasma polarization shift, often neglect perturbing ion contributions assuming that the strong Coulomb repulsion prevents their penetration of the emitting or absorbing ion. It is shown, however, that the ion mean field contribution can be significant under certain conditions; for example, diagnostic lines from highly ionized ions in inertial confinement fusion targets.