Broadening and intensity properties of complex autoionizing states

Methods to simplify atomic populations kinetics and line broadening phenomena are considered in the framework of a theory which mixes spectral distributions according to excitation channels and plasma parameters, the virtual contour shape kinetic theory (VCSKT). VCSKT recovers all spectral details in a LSJ-split fashion from a reduced kinetic description. Particular emphasis is paid to the Li-like dielectronic Rydberg satellite transitions of highly charged ions which are of importance for the diagnosis of dense hot plasmas. Detailed population kinetic and dynamic Stark effect simulations show agreement with the reduction method for typical plasma parameters. The line broadening of complex transition arrays is well described because all LSJ-split transitions are considered for the total contour of each complex.