Accurate hydrogen spectral simulations with a compact model atom

Jason W. Ferguson, Gary J. Ferland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many large-scale numerical simulations of astrophysical plasmas must also reproduce the hydrogen ionization and the resulting emission spectrum, in some cases quite accurately. We describe a compact model hydrogen atom that can be readily incorporated into such simulations. It reproduces the recombination efficiency and line spectrum predicted by much larger calculations for a very broad range of densities and temperatures. Uncertainties in hydrogen collision data are the largest source of differences between our compact atom and predictions of more extensive calculations and underscore the need for accurate atomic data.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-370
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume479
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Atomic processes
  • Plasmas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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