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A generalized statistical-mechanical theory is developed to describe the effect of plasma screening on nuclear reactions. The screening function H12(0) oa ln j\ where f is the screening factor is generally describable in terms of pair distribution functions of the plasma electrons and ions, and is demonstrated to be a thermodynamic quantity, a function of the chemical potentials of the reacting charges. This theory recovers the previous weak- and strong-screening results of Salpeter, in the appropriate charge and screening strength limits for which they are valid. A new theoretical study of strong screening is next made for the case of equal-charge reactions, based on Monte Carlo calculations of the pair distribution function of the Coulomb fluid. This result, which has wide astrophysical applications, is combined with the theory of Salpeter to construct a generalized screening function for arbitrary charge conditions. The generalized screening factor is extended to describe intermediate-screening effects. Subject headings: nuclear reactions - plasmas
DeWitt et al. (Sun,) studied this question.