A model of dense-plasma atomic structure for equation-of-state calculations

Abstract

A model of dense plasmas relying on the superconfiguration approximation is presented. In each superconfiguration the nucleus is totally screened by the electrons in a Wigner-Seitz sphere (ion-sphere model). Superconfigurations of the same charge are grouped into ions. It is shown that boundary values of the wavefunctions play a crucial role in the form of the Virial theorem from which the pressure formula is derived. Finally, a condition is presented and discussed, which makes the ion-sphere model variational when bound electrons are treated quantum-mechanically and free electrons quasi-classically.