Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-04-17
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
83 pages, 38 figures, 41 tables Accepted to ApJS
Scientific paper
10.1086/507629
Reliably interpreting spectra from electron-ionized cosmic plasmas requires accurate ionization balance calculations for the plasma in question. However, much of the atomic data needed for these calculations have not been generated using modern theoretical methods and are often highly suspect. This translates directly into the reliability of the collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) calculations. We make use of state-of-the-art calculations of dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients for the hydrogenic through Na-like ions of all elements from He up to and including Zn. We also make use of state-of-the-art radiative recombination (RR) rate coefficient calculations for the bare through Na-like ions of all elements from H through to Zn. Here we present improved CIE calculations for temperatures from $10^4$ to $10^9$ K using our data and the recommended electron impact ionization data of \citet{Mazz98a} for elements up to and including Ni and Mazzotta (private communication) for Cu and Zn. DR and RR data for ionization stages that have not been updated are also taken from these two additional sources. We compare our calculated fractional ionic abundances using these data with those presented by Mazzotta et al. for all elements from H to Ni. The differences in peak fractional abundance are up to 60%. We also compare with the fractional ionic abundances for Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni derived from the modern DR calculations of \citet{Gu03a,Gu04a} for the H-like through Na-like ions, and the RR calculations of \citet{Gu03b} for the bare through F-like ions. These results are in better agreement with our work, with differences in peak fractional abundance of less than 10%.
Badnell Nigel R.
Bryans Paul
Gorczyca Thomas W.
Laming Martin J.
Mitthumsiri Warit
No associations
LandOfFree
Collisional Ionization Equilibrium for Optically Thin Plasmas. I. Updated Recombination Rate Coefficients for Bare though Sodium-like Ions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Collisional Ionization Equilibrium for Optically Thin Plasmas. I. Updated Recombination Rate Coefficients for Bare though Sodium-like Ions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Collisional Ionization Equilibrium for Optically Thin Plasmas. I. Updated Recombination Rate Coefficients for Bare though Sodium-like Ions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-195179