Electron Broadening of Isolated Spectral Lines

Abstract

The electron broadening of an isolated atomic transition is calculated using the propagator approach. Electron correlations are included, and therefore the divergences arising in the impact-limit calculations are eliminated. The general expression for width reduces to previously obtained results if the correlations are neglected. The case of plasmon broadening is also considered. In this case, the width parameter has resonance-type frequency dependence, resulting in considerable deviation from Lorentz profile. Under suitable conditions "sidebands" appear about a "forbidden line."