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Abstract
This work is devoted to the analysis of the quantum effects and discrete nature of plasmas. First, the influence of quantum uncertainty and quantum interference on thermodynamic equilibrium of atoms with the photon gas is analyzed. It is found that quantum interference leads to non-zero non-diagonal elements of the density matrix of atoms in equilibrium gas or plasma, while the diagonal elements obey the usual Boltzman statistics. These non-diagonal elements are shown to modify the emissivity of the medium, which will have an enhanced red wing in the spectrum as well as a point, where the radiation intensity diminishes to zero. Second, quantum interference of three-level atoms subject to laser field is considered. It is shown that laser fields of certain frequency and amplitude may suppress spontaneous emission completely over the range of frequencies. The relaxation operator for three-level atoms with quantum interference between decay channels is derived. It is found that Lamb shifts contribute a new non-linear term. Third, effect of quantum uncertainty on the polarization of the atomic radiation coming from the plasma is examined. It is shown that quantum uncertainty may lead to completely polarized line wings and almost unpolarized core of the radiation line of atoms interacting with plasma microfields. This effect is explained qualitatively through the Pauli uncertainty principle, as well as on the basis of the solution of the density matrix equations of motion. A simple formula for the polarization spectrum of the radiation is found. The result indicates sensitivity of the polarization to the distribution of the microfields, which may serve as a diagnostic tool. Fourth, discrete nature of the plasma interacting with the high-intensity ultra-short laser pulse is examined. Change in the correlational energy of the plasma is found and shown to exceed the energy in the plasma oscillations for pulses of certain duration and amplitude. Classical scattering matrix of the electron in the field of ion interacting with the high-intensity laser pulse is found.
