Comments on the requirements for a general Stark broadening theory

An analysis is made of requirements for a general theory of Stark broadening applicable to both strong and weak collisions. It is pointed out in particular that inclusion of the static and weak interaction limits is not sufficient to obtain a generally valid theory. At least one other condition is necessary—a dynamic correction for strong, primarily static, collisions. The kangaroo process model microfield method is examined from this point of view, and it is shown that the model conditional probability leads to an incorrect functional form for the lowest order dynamic correction.