Thomas-Fermi and Thomas-Fermi-Dirac calculations for atoms in a very strong magnetic field

Abstract

A statistical model for atoms in a very strong magnetic field (${10}^{12}$-${10}^{14}$ G) may be built, starting from the assumption that the Coulomb motion of the atomic electrons is adiabatically slow with respect to their magnetic motion. Within this framework, the binding energies and radii, as well as the ionization energies of singly and doubly ionized atoms, are computed for atomic numbers $5\le Z\le 100$ in the Thomas-Fermi case, and for $5\le Z\le 70$ in the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac case. Possible astrophysical implications may concern the emission of electrons and ions from the surface of pulsars, the abundances of the elements in the cosmic radiation, and the properties of the condensed matter forming the outer crust of magnetic neutron stars.