Investigation of the Photoionization Process of Highly Charged Ions Under Non-ideal Classical Plasma Conditions

Abstract

In this manuscript, we suggest a relativistic distorted wave approach for the prediction of structural properties and photoionization cross sections of highly charged ions in a non-ideal classical plasma (NICP) environment. The pseudopotential, obtained from a sequential solution of the Bogolyubov chain equations, is used to describe screened interactions in the plasma. We solve the Dirac equation to obtain wave functions and energies. Detailed calculations are carried out for the photoionization of the highly ionized H-like S\(^{15+}\) ions for an illustrative purpose. The NICP effects on the energies, transition rates, ionization potentials, and photoionization cross sections are investigated. Comparing our results with other available experimental and theoretical data, we find satisfactory agreement. Apart from its fundamental importance, the present study has implications for a range of fields, including astrophysics, nuclear fusion and laboratory plasma experiments.