Atomic line shapes in the presence of an external magnetic field

Both the theoretical basis and computational approach for extending the capabilities of a spectral line broadening code are presented. Following standard line broadening theory, the effects of an external magnetic field are incorporated into the atomic Hamiltonian and plasma average. In the presence of an external magnetic field the atomic Hamiltonian angular properties are altered -- atomic energy levels are perturbed and the spectral emission line is polarized. The magnetic field introduces a preferential axis that changes the plasma average. These extensions have been incorporated into a new spectral line broadening code that is applied to several problems of importance to the understanding of tokamak edge plasmas. Applications fall into two broad categories: 1) determination of local plasma properties from distinct line shape features; and 2) consideration of global plasma phenomenon, such as radiation transport. Observable features of the Zeeman effect make Hα a good magnetic field diagnostic. Hβ does not make a good electron density diagnostic since the Zeeman effect is comparable to the Stark effect for a majority of tokamak edge plasma conditions. When optically thick lines exist the details of the spectral line shapes are shown to significantly influence the transport of radiation throughout the system