Spectral line shapes modeling in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas

An overview of several spectral line shapes studies of common interest in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas is presented. For lines dominated by Stark broadening, approaches taking into account the dynamics of numerous perturbers are sometimes required. We briefly recall ab initio simulation techniques and model microfield methods used for such conditions. Together with the impact approximation, such models may also be used for studying the effects on a line profile of a magnetic field of the order of the tesla, allowing the diagnostic of stellar objects or magnetic fusion devices. The problem of the apparent spectral line emitted in a plasma affected by strong fluctuations of the plasma parameters is discussed for the case of optically thin plasmas.