Ionization Balance in Non-Local-Thermodynamic-Equilibrium Plasmas

A collisional-radiative model is developed for population calculations of plasmas in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium. The rate equations in detailed configuration accounting are solved to obtain ion populations. The configuration averaged rate coefficients are used in the rate equations. The cross sections are calculated based on the first perturbation theory. Wavefunctions required in cross section calculations are obtained by the Hartree-Fock-Slater self-consistent-field model. This kinetic model is applied to low- and medium-Z as well as high-Z plasmas. The results are compared with those of other theoretical models and experiments. The comparisons show that the present results of the mean charge state for low- and medium-Z elements agree well with other theoretical ones, while for high-Z elements, the present mean ionization stages are about two stages lower than the experimental ones.