RADIATION TRAPPING SIMULATIONS USING THE PROPAGATOR FUNCTION-METHOD

An integral method of solving the Holstein-Biberman equation based on a propagator function is described. This method is used to solve the equation with a Lorentz lineshape in an infinite plane parallel geometry and a hollow spherical geometry. The method is ideal for solving for both the time dependent and the steady state density of resonance atoms which results from an arbitrary production mte per unit volume. The propagator function method is 100 times faster than the Monte Carlo method. The greater speed of the propagator function method makes it well suited to fully self-consistent kinetic simulations of glow discharge plasmas.