Approximate Theoretical Calculation of Continuum Opacities

An approxhnate procedure is described for the theoretical calculation of the spectral absorption coefficient produced by bound-free and free-free transitions in plasmas containing polyelectronic atoms and ions. Our method of calculation is based on the assumption that only two ionized species make important contributions to the opacity and that these two ionic constituents are present in equal concentrations. The approximate formulas are shown to yield results that are in good accord with estimates based on detailed numerical computations for nitrogen

Polarization in relativistic heavy ion collisions: a theoretical perspective

We review the theoretical framework for the calculation of particle polarization in relativistic heavy ion collisions within the hydrodynamical model. The covariant decomposition of the mean spin vector is presented and open theoretical issues addressed.Comment: 6 pages, talk given at Strangeness in Quark Matter conference, Utrecht, July 10-15 201