PROPERTIES OF A DECAYING PLASMA

Abstract Attention is confined to plasmas which consist of electrons, protons and hydrogen atoms only and which are optically thin either, case A, throughout the spectrum or, case B, except towards Lyman line radiation (which is completely absorbed). Tables are presented from which the number densities of excited atoms and the nett power radiated may readily be obtained. Possible errors due to elastic collisions not being taken properly into account are discussed.