ATOMIC-LEVEL POPULATION FOR NONIDEAL PLASMAS IN STRONG ELECTRIC-FIELDS

Starting from the rate equations that are derived from quantum kinetic equations, the level population of the different atomic states is cal culated for a nonideal hydrogen plasma in strong electric fields. A ch ange in the balance between excitation and deexcitation processes is p roduced by the non-Maxwellian form of the electron distribution functi on that accounts for field and density effects. The result is a consid erably higher population of the excited atomic states for densities wh ere both field and density effects are of importance.