Modeling the Stark broadening of spectral lines in plasmas is a complex problem. The problem has a long history, since it plays a crucial role in the interpretation of the observed spectral lines in laboratories and astrophysical plasmas. One difficulty is the characterization of the emitter’s environment. Although several models have been proposed over the years, there have been no systematic studies of the results, until now. Here, calculations from stochastic models and numerical simulations are compared for the Atoms 2014, 2 300 Lyman-α and -β lines in neutral hydrogen. Also discussed are results from the Helium-α and -β lines of Ar XVII.

In this work, we briefly summarize the theoretical aspects of isolated line broadening. We present and discuss test run comparisons from different participating lineshape codes for the 2s-2p transition for LiI, B III and NV.

In recent work, the effect of a magnetic field on the line shapes via the modification of electron perturber trajectories was considered. In the present paper we revisit this idea using a variation of the Collision-time Statistics method, in order to account for $all$ relevant perturbers. We also obtain line profiles for the hydrogen $L_{\alpha }$ line for conditions of astrophysical interest. Although the Collision-time statistics method works for both electrons and ions, we apply a simplification here that results in an excessive number of ions having to be simulated. As a result, the present, simplified version, is typically only appropriate for electrons.

The standard static-ion impact electron theory of line broadening is assessed with a calculation of the He II $P_{\alpha }$ line over a broad range of plasma conditions. Ion dynamics, an improved electron collision operator, and accurate atomic physics are included in the computation. Simulations also have been performed to validate effects included in the calculation at higher densities. Calculated linewidths are compared with experiment over more than two decades in electron density, and broad agreement is found. This provides the first critical evaluation of the assumptions of Stark broadening theory. The profiles also display the first unambiguous evidence of ion dynamics.

In a previous paper, a variation of the Collision-time Statistics method was applied to identify the relevant perturbers for line broadening under the action of a constant magnetic field. As discussed, that version was simplified and inadequate for low magnetic field and/or large perturber mass (ions). The purpose of the present work is to augment the previous work, so that such cases can be handed efficiently. The results may also be used to construct analytic, i.e., impact/unified models under the usual assumptions in these models.

For a given set of plasma parameters, along a single series (Lyman, Balmer, etc.) the lines with higher principal quantum number (n) lines get progressively wider, closer to each other, and start merging for a certain critical n. In the present work, four different codes (with further options) are used to calculate the entire Balmer series for moderate and high electron densities. Particular attention is paid to the relevant physics, such as the cutoff criteria, strong and penetrating electron collisions.