Theoretical and experimental activities on opacities for a good interpretation of seismic stellar probes

Opacity calculations are basic ingredients of stellar modelling. They play a crucial role in the interpretation of acoustic modes detected by SoHO, COROT and KEPLER. In this review we present our activities on both theoretical and experimental sides. We show new calculations of opacity spectra and comparisons between eight groups who produce opacity spectra calculations in the domain where experiments are scheduled. Real differences are noticed with real astrophysical consequences when one extends helioseismology to cluster studies of different compositions. Two cases are considered presently: (1) the solar radiative zone and (2) the beta Cephei envelops. We describe how our experiments are performed and new preliminary results on nickel obtained in the campaign 2010 at LULI 2000 at Polytechnique.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, invited talk at SOHO2

Radiative properties of stellar plasmas and open challenges

The lifetime of solar-like stars, the envelope structure of more massive stars, and stellar acoustic frequencies largely depend on the radiative properties of the stellar plasma. Up to now, these complex quantities have been estimated only theoretically. The development of the powerful tools of helio- and astero- seismology has made it possible to gain insights on the interiors of stars. Consequently, increased emphasis is now placed on knowledge of the monochromatic opacity coefficients. Here we review how these radiative properties play a role, and where they are most important. We then concentrate specifically on the envelopes of $\beta$ Cephei variable stars. We discuss the dispersion of eight different theoretical estimates of the monochromatic opacity spectrum and the challenges we need to face to check these calculations experimentally.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, in press (conference HEDLA 2010

Experimental characterisation of the wake behind paired vertical-axis wind turbines

Two vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) benefit from a power increase when placed side by side in close proximity. To study the potential of paired VAWTs for integration in wind farms, wind tunnel wake measurements of lift-driven VAWTs are compared for isolated and three counter-rotating configurations. Because the wake of an isolated VAWT is deflected, the direction of rotation significantly influences the wake of paired VAWTs. The wake of counter-rotating VAWTs where the adjacent blades move downwind, exhibits a similar length, width and replenishment as the wake of an isolated VAWT. The wake of counter-rotating VAWTs with adjacent upwind moving blades, however, significantly differs from an isolated VAWT wake. While its wake length is similar to an isolated VAWT wake, its width and replenishment are not. Because of appealing wake characteristics, paired VAWTs exhibit unique advantages for wind farm applications, and especially for offshore floating wind farms

Analysis of X-ray and Thomson scattering data from non-LTE Nb and Ta plasmas

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Theoretical interpretation for 2

The 2p − nd absorption structures in medium Z elements present a valuable benchmark for atomic models since they exhibit a complex dependence on temperature and density. For these transitions lying in the X-ray range, one observes a competition between the spin-orbit splitting and the broadening associated to the excitation of complex structures. Detailed opacity codes based on the HULLAC or FAC suites agree with the statistical code SCO; but in iron computations predict higher peak absorption than measured. An addition procedure on opacities calculated with detailed codes is proposed and successfully tested

Theoretical interpretation for 2p − nd absorption spectra of iron, nickel, and copper in X-ray range measured at the LULI2000 facility

The 2p − nd absorption structures in medium Z elements present a valuable benchmark for atomic models since they exhibit a complex dependence on temperature and density. For these transitions lying in the X-ray range, one observes a competition between the spin-orbit splitting and the broadening associated to the excitation of complex structures. Detailed opacity codes based on the HULLAC or FAC suites agree with the statistical code SCO; but in iron computations predict higher peak absorption than measured. An addition procedure on opacities calculated with detailed codes is proposed and successfully tested

Simultaneous X-ray and XUV absorption measurements in nickel laser-produced plasma close to LTE

International audienceWe present an experiment performed in 2016 at the LULI2000 laser facility in which X-ray and XUV absorption structures of nickel hot plasmas were measured simultaneously. Such experiments may provide stringent tests of the accuracy of plasma atomic-physics codes used to the modeling of plasmas close to local thermodynamic equilibrium. The experimental setup relies on a symmetric heating of the sample foil by two gold hohlraums in order to reduce the spatial gradients. The plasma conditions are characterized by temperatures between 10 and 20 eV and densities of the order of 10$^{−3}$ g/cm $^3$-10$^{−2}$ g/cm$^3$. For the X-ray part, we investigate the 2p-3d and 2p-4d transitions, and for the XUV part, we recorded the $\Delta$n = 0 (n = 3) transitions, which present a high sensitivity to plasma temperature. These latter transitions are of particular interest because, in mid-Z plasmas, they dominate the Planck and Rosseland mean opacities. Measured spectra are compared to calculations performed using the hybrid opacity code SCO-RCG and the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC). The influence of a spectator electron on the calculated spectra is analyzed using the latter code