Quantum Theory of Energy Loss by Test Ions to Plasma

Abstract

A fully quantum theoretical calculation is carried out for the average energy loss rate by test ions released in a plasma. The calculation is based on the divergence-free kinetic theory of Kihara and Honda. The rate is given in terms of several auxiliary functions which may be evaluated numerically for a given test ion once the Maxwellian temperatures and densities of each plasma species (electrons and ions) are specified. The examples considered earlier by Sigmar and Joyce are re-evaluated and the accuracies of their approximate calculations are found to be generally quite good. Several new quantitative results are presented.