A model for describing the transient molecular behavior in hot dense p
lasmas is presented and applied to the case of a transient F8+/F9+ mol
ecular ion embedded in a dense (N-e approximate to 10(23) cm(-3)) fluo
rine plasma. Electron screening effects on molecular energy levels and
on dipolar matrix elements are investigated for specific plasma condi
tions. The accuracy of the calculations is tested comparing values of
the polarization shift of the FLy beta line as calculated from the pre
sent model to the ones determined in the framework of the Ion Sphere M
odel (ISM).