A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma

Tantalum is extensively used in inertial confinement fusion research for targets in radiation transport experiments, hohlraums in magnetized fusion experiments, and lining foams for hohlraums to suppress wall motions. To comprehend the physical processes associated with these applications, detailed...

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Main Authors: Shi Chen, Qishuo Zhang, Qianyi Feng, Ziyue Yu, Jingyi Mai, Hongping Zhang, Lili Huang, Chengjin Huang, Mu Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Plasma
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6182/8/2/16
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author Shi Chen
Qishuo Zhang
Qianyi Feng
Ziyue Yu
Jingyi Mai
Hongping Zhang
Lili Huang
Chengjin Huang
Mu Li
author_facet Shi Chen
Qishuo Zhang
Qianyi Feng
Ziyue Yu
Jingyi Mai
Hongping Zhang
Lili Huang
Chengjin Huang
Mu Li
author_sort Shi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Tantalum is extensively used in inertial confinement fusion research for targets in radiation transport experiments, hohlraums in magnetized fusion experiments, and lining foams for hohlraums to suppress wall motions. To comprehend the physical processes associated with these applications, detailed information regarding the ionization composition and electrical conductivity of tantalum plasma across a wide range of densities and temperatures is essential. In this study, we calculate the densities of ionization species and the electrical conductivity of partially ionized, nonideal tantalum plasma based on a simplified theoretical model that accounts for high ionization states up to the atomic number of the element and the lowering of ionization energies. A comparison of the ionization compositions between tantalum and copper plasmas highlights the significant role of ionization energies in determining species populations. Additionally, the average electron–neutral momentum transfer cross-section significantly influences the electrical conductivity calculations, and calibration with experimental measurements offers a method for estimating this atomic parameter. The impact of electrical conductivity in the intermediate-density range on the laser absorption coefficient is discussed using the Drude model.
format Article
id doaj-art-736d9be9fbe34b209a81a2b3ef5dd1b7
institution DOAJ
issn 2571-6182
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Plasma
spelling doaj-art-736d9be9fbe34b209a81a2b3ef5dd1b72025-08-20T03:16:36ZengMDPI AGPlasma2571-61822025-04-01821610.3390/plasma8020016A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum PlasmaShi Chen0Qishuo Zhang1Qianyi Feng2Ziyue Yu3Jingyi Mai4Hongping Zhang5Lili Huang6Chengjin Huang7Mu Li8Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaCollege of Big Data and Internet, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Intense Laser Application Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, 3002 Lantian Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaTantalum is extensively used in inertial confinement fusion research for targets in radiation transport experiments, hohlraums in magnetized fusion experiments, and lining foams for hohlraums to suppress wall motions. To comprehend the physical processes associated with these applications, detailed information regarding the ionization composition and electrical conductivity of tantalum plasma across a wide range of densities and temperatures is essential. In this study, we calculate the densities of ionization species and the electrical conductivity of partially ionized, nonideal tantalum plasma based on a simplified theoretical model that accounts for high ionization states up to the atomic number of the element and the lowering of ionization energies. A comparison of the ionization compositions between tantalum and copper plasmas highlights the significant role of ionization energies in determining species populations. Additionally, the average electron–neutral momentum transfer cross-section significantly influences the electrical conductivity calculations, and calibration with experimental measurements offers a method for estimating this atomic parameter. The impact of electrical conductivity in the intermediate-density range on the laser absorption coefficient is discussed using the Drude model.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6182/8/2/16ionization compositionnonideal Saha equationelectrical conductivityabsorption coefficienttantalum plasma
spellingShingle Shi Chen
Qishuo Zhang
Qianyi Feng
Ziyue Yu
Jingyi Mai
Hongping Zhang
Lili Huang
Chengjin Huang
Mu Li
A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
Plasma
ionization composition
nonideal Saha equation
electrical conductivity
absorption coefficient
tantalum plasma
title A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
title_full A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
title_fullStr A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
title_full_unstemmed A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
title_short A Theoretical Study of the Ionization States and Electrical Conductivity of Tantalum Plasma
title_sort theoretical study of the ionization states and electrical conductivity of tantalum plasma
topic ionization composition
nonideal Saha equation
electrical conductivity
absorption coefficient
tantalum plasma
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6182/8/2/16
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