Gain and attenuation coefficient of light in a freely decaying plasma of hydrogenlike ions

A calculation is made of the optical characteristics of a recombination-nonequilibrium plasma of hydrogen-like ions: the gains and attenuation coefficients of light are tabulated for the 5–4, 4–3, 3–2, and 5–3 transitions in the range Z ≤ 30. The problems related to reabsorption of the Lyman series lines are considered. A more accurate estimate is obtained of the maximum electron density in the case of active transitions. The results are presented in the form of graphs convenient for the use in comparisons with the experimental results: the dependences are given of the gain and of the recombination time of an active ion τ_rec on the electron density and temperature in a plasma originating from various substances and these are supplemented by the dependences of the maximum values of the gain on τ_rec.