Quantum and plasma screening effects on electron-hydrogen polarization transport collisions in partially ionized plasmas

Abstract

The quantum state and plasma screening effects on electron - neutral atom polarization transport collisions are investigated in partially ionized hydrogen plasmas. The screened Buckingham potential model is applied to describe the polarization interaction between the projectile electron and the neutral target atom in partially ionized plasmas. The method of partial waves is applied to represent the electron - atom polarization transport cross-section as a function of the quantum states, Debye length and collision energy. The results show that the plasma screening effects on the polarization transport cross-section are found to be more significant for low collision energies. It is also found that the transport cross-section is significantly increased with increasing quantum states.