Continuum wave functions and bremsstrahlung in plasmas based on the ion-sphere and jellium models

We determine the density of states and subject the continuum wave functions to normalization and asymptotic conditions consistent with the ion-sphere and jellium models of the plasma. To illustrate the difference between the two models, we present bremsstrahlung calculations for aluminum and iron plasmas. We also compare the exact quantum-mechanical results with the predictions of the Born-Elwert approximation and with some predictions based on phase-shift calculations. Finally, we discuss briefly the effect of a non-Maxwellian electron distribution.