Fast electric microfield distribution calculations in extreme matter conditions

Spectral line shapes provide a powerful tool for characterizing strongly co upled plasmas that have become experimentally more accessible in recent yea rs. Line shape calculations in turn require as input the electric microfiel d distribution at the emitting atom or ion. The APEX approximation for micr ofield distributions is computationally fast and suited for weakly as well as strongly coupled plasmas. The currently available APEX program, however, contains computationally difficulties that restrict its range of applicabi lity. Consequently, the code has been improved removing many of its shortco mings. An important new feature is the incorporation of the HNC integral eq uation solution to the radial distribution functions necessary for the APEX approximation. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.