Semiclassical model for the ionic self-diffusion coefficient in white dwarfs.
Under the extreme conditions of massive white dwarfs, which have ionic densities that exceed 10(29) cm(-3) , the ions can be both very strongly coupled and partially degenerate. We present a simple model for self-diffusion in such white dwarfs that utilizes the known one-component plasma diffusion coefficient and scalings derived from the short-time expansions of the velocity autocorrelation function and the memory function. Since the ions are weakly degenerate, we utilize a simple semiclassical correction to the classical dynamics. We find enhanced diffusion, relative to the purely classical calculation, which is more significant at smaller values of the Coulomb coupling parameter.
Daligault
Jérôme
J
Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Murillo
Michael S
MS