The Effect of Quantum Correlations on Electron-Scattering Opacities

The effect of quantum free-electron correlations on the Thomson cross-section for the scattering of electromagnetic radiation in stellar interiors is investigated. It is shown that, although quantum correla- tions lead to insignificant corrections in the case of hot diffuse stars where electron scattering completely dominates the opacity, they are not negligible in the interior of the Sun and of similar stars