Free-free opacity in dense plasmas with an average atom model

Abstract A model for the free-free opacity of dense plasmas is presented. The model uses a previously developed average atom model, together with the Kubo-Greenwood model for optical conductivity. This, in turn, is used to calculate the opacity with the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relations. Comparisons to other methods for dense deuterium results in excellent agreement with DFT-MD simulations, and reasonable agreement with a simple Yukawa screening model corrected to satisfy the conductivity sum rule. Comparisons against the very recent experiments of Kettle et al. for dense aluminum also reveal very good agreement, in contrast to existing models. Weaknesses in the model are also highlighted.