Application of path integral formalism to spectral line broadening: lyman alpha in hydrogenic plasma

Abstract

In this paper the results of Lyman alpha line shapes without the fine structure in the electron impact approximation are rederived using a path integral formalism. The method presented here is designed to provide a quantum formalism that will treat the ions and the electrons on the same physical basis. This method has also the advantage of treating cases where the dynamical effects are present. We therefore, give an expression of the dipolar autocorrelation function taking into account the ion dynamics effects.