Shannon entropy for hydrogen atom in Debye and quantum plasma environment

Abstract

The plasma screening effect on Shannon entropy values is studied for atomic states of hydrogen under the more general exponential cosine screened Coulomb (MGECSC) potential, which can be used to model Debye and quantum plasmas. The wavefunctions used in the calculation of Shannon entropy are obtained by solving the Schrödinger equation employing the efficient Numerov technique. Shannon entropy is calculated for hydrogen atom quantum levels using various sets of screening parameters to account for the four different potential forms present in the MGECSC potential. The electron density distributions are considerably altered due to the plasma shielding influence on the embedded hydrogen atoms, and this effect is measured by the shift in Shannon entropy. A greater screening influence on entropy is observed in quantum plasma modeled by the MGECSC potential than that in Debye plasma due to the significant combined effects of screening parameters. Excellent convergence is obtained on comparing our results for plasma-free hydrogen atom with the currently available literature. This study is the first to examine the effects of shielding on Shannon entropy of hydrogen atoms in plasmas modeled by the MGECSC potential. These findings will be important for theoretical and experimental research in the disciplines of atomic physics and plasma diagnostics.