Special Issue "Spectral Line Shapes in Plasmas"

articles are available on line http://www.mdpi.com/journal/atoms/special_issues/SpectralLineShapesInternational audienceLine-shape analysis is one of the most important tools for diagnostics of both laboratory and space plasmas. Its reliable implementation requires sufficiently accurate calculations, which imply the use of analytical methods and computer codes of varying complexity, and, necessarily, varying limits of applicability and accuracy. However, studies comparing different computational and analytical methods are almost nonexistent. The Spectral Line Shapes in Plasma (SLSP) code comparison workshop series was established to fill this gap. Numerous computational cases considered in the two workshops organized to date (in 2012 and 2013) not only served the purpose of code comparison, but also have applications in research of magnetic fusion, astrophysical and laser-produced plasmas, and more. Therefore, although the first workshop was shortly reviewed elsewhere[1], and will likely be followed by a review of the second one, it was unanimously decided by the participants that a dedicated volume devoted to results of the workshops is desired. It is the purpose of this special issue. In addition, we welcome contributions from the wider community working on diverse aspects of calculations of spectral line shapes in plasmas. [1] E. Stambulchik, High Energy Density Phys. 9, 528-534 (2013)