Modeling the population kinetics of NLTE plasmas based on approximations of nonrelativistic configurations

Abstract

For the rapid calculation of population kinetics of high-Z nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) plasmas, a collisonal–radiative model based on the nonrelativistic configurations approach was developed. The required atomic data about the collisonal and radiative processes such as photoexcitation, electron-impact excitation, photoionization, electron-impact ionization and autoionzation were obtained by using a set of analytical formulae. The population kinetics were determined by solving the rate equation in the steady-state approach. As illustrative results, experimental measurements of the average ionization degree and population distribution of Xe and Au plasmas were reproduced, and overall good agreement was found. The present model provides a useful tool for modeling the population kinetics of NLTE plasmas.