Wave Function Properties and Shifted Energy Levels of Bound States in a Plasma

Abstract

On the basis of earlier work we show a simple way to estimate the properties of bound states in a plasma. The Bethe-Salpeter equation is approximated by an effective Schrodinger equation. The energy eigenvalues are found via a variation procedure. The treatment is applicated to helium-like bound states and excited hydrogen-like states. The effect of the new energy eigenvalues on the plasma composition is discussed for the symmetrical electron-positron plasma.