Benchmark Calculations of Atomic Data for Plasma Applications

Abstract

Accurate and complete datasets for atomic structure and collision data are important for many applications in plasma physics, in particular the modeling and diagnostic of discharges.  In recent years, we have developed a general computer code, based on the close-coupling expansion, that allows for the calculations of such data both for the target structure (energy levels and oscillator strengths) and electron collisions with atoms and ions.  The general idea behind such calculations will be discussed, as well as the expected accuracy of the data, current limitations of theory, and the direction of future developments.  The present state-of-the-art will be illustrated using several examples of modeling discharges using our input data.

Biography

Professor Klaus Bartschat received his Ph.D. in Physics (1984) from University of Munster (Germany). Since then he has worked as a research assistant, research associate in University of Munster and Queen’s University, Belfast (UK). He visited Drake University (USA) in 1987 and started out as an assistant professor. Prof. Bartschat is now an Ellis & Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Physics, Drake University (USA). Professor Bartschat's research areas include electron and positron scattering from atoms and ions, photoionization, electron and positron impact ionization, general scattering theory, computational methods. He has published 2 books, 43 further book contributions, 11 invited review articles, 47 invited talks at national and international conferences and over 250 refereed journal articles.