Forty Years of the Applications of Stark Broadening Data Determined with the Modified Semiempirical Method

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the various uses of Stark broadening data for non-hydrogenic lines emitted from plasma, obtained with the modified semiempirical method formulated 40 years ago (1980), which are continuously implemented in the STARK-B database. In such a way one can identify research fields where they are applied and better see the needs of users in order to better plan future work. This is done by analysis of citations of the modified semiempirical method and the corresponding data in international scientific journals, excluding cases when they are used for comparison with other experimental or theoretical Stark broadening data or for development of the theory of Stark broadening. On the basis of our analysis, one can conclude that the principal applications of such data are in astronomy (white dwarfs, A and B stars, and opacity), investigations of laser produced plasmas, laser design and optimization and their applications in industry and technology (ablation, laser melting, deposition, plasma during electrolytic oxidation, laser micro sintering), as well as for the determination of radiative properties of various plasmas, plasma diagnostics, and investigations of regularities and systematic trends of Stark broadening parameters.