On the superconfiguration approach to model NLTE plasma emission

We discuss some aspects of the superconfiguration approach as applied to NLTE problems. The framework of this study is the AVERROES/TRANSPEC model developed for simulating non-LTE spectra. The model acts as a postprocessor to plasma hydrodynamics simulations. After a review of its main characteristics, the capability of the model is illustrated with results of calculations concerning the M-shell emission of highly ionized hot plasmas. In particular, we analyse experiments performed on gold plasmas and we present the first fully time-dependent NLTE STA-spectroscopy postprocessing of a lanthanum plasma created by a short and intense laser pulse. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.