Hydrogen Balmer-alpha broadening in dense plasmas

This work presents a theoretical analysis of experimental results for the h ydrogen Balmer-cr line in dense plasmas, with electron densities between 2X 10(18) and 9X10(18) e/cm(3). A simulation of both electrons and ions is emp loyed to produce reliable theoretical widths. These results are essentially in agreement with standard theory results and, for the most part, disagree with the experimental results. Consequently, either mechanisms not account ed for in the theoretical results (such as quadrupoles) are more important than previously thought at these densities, or else there is a problem in t he experimental data (such as a possible reabsorption, which is not ruled o ut by the experimental data). [S1063-651X(99)00208-1].