Dielectronic recombination (source code)

= Dielectronic recombination

A free <Electron> is resonantly captured while exciting the ionic core, producing a doubly excited state above the parent-ion threshold. Capture becomes permanent recombination only if the state undergoes <radiative stabilization> rather than <autoionization>. For resonance $d$, entrance ion $i$, and Maxwellian electrons, $\alpha_d=(g_d/(2g_i))(h^2/(2\pi mkT))^{3/2}e^{-E_d/kT}A^a_{di}A^r_{\rm stab}/(A^a_{\rm tot}+A^r_{\rm tot})$. Detailed balance determines the capture rate; a steady population balance determines the survival factor. The rate coefficient has dimensions volume per time.