Highly Excited Core Resonances in Photoionization of Fe XVII : Implications for Plasma Opacities

A comprehensive study of high-accuracy photoionization cross sections is carried out using the relativistic Breit-Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) method for (hnu + Fe XVII --> Fe XVIII + e). Owing to its importance in high-temperature plasmas the calculations cover a large energy range, particularly the myriad photoexciation-of-core (PEC) resonances including the n = 3 levels not heretofore considered. The calculations employ a close coupling wave function expansion of 60 levels of the core ion Fe XVIII ranging over a wide energy range of nearly 900 eV between the n = 2 and n = 3 levels. Strong coupling effects due to dipole transition arrays 2p^5 --> 2p^4 (3s,3d) manifest themselves as large PEC resonances throughout this range, and enhance the effective photoionization cross sections orders of magnitude above the background. Comparisons with the erstwhile Opacity Project (OP) and other previous calculations shows that the currently available cross sections considerably underestimate the bound-free cross sections. A level-identification scheme is used for spectroscopic designation of the 454 bound fine structure levels of Fe XVII. Level-specific photoionization cross sections are computed for all levels. In addition, partial cross sections for leaving the core ion Fe XVII in the ground state are also obtained. These results should be relevant to modeling of astrophysical and laboratory plasma sources requiring (i) photoionization rates, (ii) extensive non-local-thermodynamic-equilibrium models, (iii) total unified electron-ion recombination rates including radiative and dielectronic recombination, and (iv) plasma opacities. We particularly examine PEC and non-PEC resonance strengths and emphasize their expanded role to incorporate inner-shell excitations for improved opacities, as shown by the computed monochromatic opacity of Fe XVII.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, Physical Review A (in press

Magnetic Order Beyond RKKY in the Classical Kondo Lattice

We study the Kondo lattice model of band electrons coupled to classical spins, in three dimensions, using a combination of variational calculation and Monte Carlo. We use the weak coupling `RKKY' window and the strong coupling regime as benchmarks, but focus on the physically relevant intermediate coupling regime. Even for modest electron-spin coupling the phase boundaries move away from the RKKY results, the non interacting Fermi surface no longer dictates magnetic order, and weak coupling `spiral' phases give way to collinear order. We use these results to revisit the classic problem of 4f magnetism and demonstrate how both electronic structure and coupling effects beyond RKKY control the magnetism in these materials.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figs. Improved figures, expanded captions. To appear in Europhys. Let

Sampling rare fluctuations of height in the Oslo ricepile model

We have studied large deviations of the height of the pile from its mean value in the Oslo ricepile model. We sampled these very rare events with probabilities of order $10^{-100}$ by Monte Carlo simulations using importance sampling. These simulations check our qualitative arguement [Phys. Rev. E, {\bf 73}, 021303, 2006] that in steady state of the Oslo ricepile model, the probability of large negative height fluctuations $\Delta h=-\alpha L$ about the mean varies as $\exp(-\kappa {\alpha}^4 L^3)$ as $L \to \infty$ with $\alpha$ held fixed, and $\kappa > 0$.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Atomic data from the Iron Project.XLIII. Transition probabilities for Fe V

An extensive set of dipole-allowed, intercombination, and forbidden transition probabilities for Fe V is presented. The Breit-Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) method is used to calculate 1.46 x 10^6 oscillator strengths for the allowed and intercombination E1 transitions among 3,865 fine-structure levels dominated by configuration complexes with n <= 10 and l <= 9. These data are complemented by an atomic structure configuration interaction (CI) calculation using the SUPERSTRUCTURE program for 362 relativistic quadrupole (E2) and magnetic dipole (M1) transitions among 65 low-lying levels dominated by the 3d^4 and 3d^ 4s configurations. Procedures have been developed for the identification of the large number of fine-structure levels and transitions obtained through the BPRM calculations. The target ion Fe VI is represented by an eigenfunction expansion of 19 fine-structure levels of 3d^3 and a set of correlation configurations. Fe V bound levels are obtained with angular and spin symmetries SL\pi and J\pi of the (e + Fe VI) system such that 2S+1 = 5,3,1, L <= 10, J <= 8 of even and odd parities. The completeness of the calculated dataset is verified in terms of all possible bound levels belonging to relevant LS terms and transitions in correspondence with the LS terms. The fine-structure averaged relativistic values are compared with previous Opacity Project LS coupling data and other works. The 362 forbidden transition probabilities considerably extend the available data for the E2 and M1 transtions, and are in good agreement with those computed by Garstang for the 3d^4 transitions.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure. This paper marks the beginning of a large-scale effort of ab initio atomic calculations that should eventually lead to re-calculation of accurate iron opacities. Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. (in press

Bianchi Type-II String Cosmological Models in Normal Gauge for Lyra's Manifold with Constant Deceleration Parameter

The present study deals with a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi-II cosmological models representing massive strings in normal gauge for Lyra's manifold by applying the variation law for generalized Hubble's parameter that yields a constant value of deceleration parameter. The variation law for Hubble's parameter generates two types of solutions for the average scale factor, one is of power-law type and other is of the exponential form. Using these two forms, Einstein's modified field equations are solved separately that correspond to expanding singular and non-singular models of the universe respectively. The energy-momentum tensor for such string as formulated by Letelier (1983) is used to construct massive string cosmological models for which we assume that the expansion ($\theta$) in the model is proportional to the component $\sigma^{1}_{~1}$ of the shear tensor $\sigma^{j}_{i}$. This condition leads to $A = (BC)^{m}$, where A, B and C are the metric coefficients and m is proportionality constant. Our models are in accelerating phase which is consistent to the recent observations. It has been found that the displacement vector $\beta$ behaves like cosmological term $\Lambda$ in the normal gauge treatment and the solutions are consistent with recent observations of SNe Ia. It has been found that massive strings dominate in the decelerating universe whereas strings dominate in the accelerating universe. Some physical and geometric behaviour of these models are also discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure

Geometric phase for a dimerized disordered continuum: Topological shot noise

Geometric phase shift associated with an electron propagating through a dimerized-disordered continuum is shown to be 0, or $\pm \pi$ (modulo 2$\pi$), according as the associated circuit traversed in the two-dimensional parameter space excludes, or encircles a certain singularity. This phase-shift is a topological invariant. Its discontinuous dependence on the electron energy and disorder implies a statistical spectral and conductance fluctuation in a corresponding mesoscopic system. Inasmuch as the fluctuation derives from the discreteness of the phase shift, it may aptly be called a topological shot-noise.Comment: 10 pages(LATEX) + 1 figure, (revised version). Will appear in Europhys. Let