Iron K Lines from Gamma Ray Bursts

We present models for reprocessing of an intense flux of X-rays and gamma rays expected in the vicinity of gamma ray burst sources. We consider the transfer and reprocessing of the energetic photons into observable features in the X-ray band, notably the K lines of iron. Our models are based on the assumption that the gas is sufficiently dense to allow the microphysical processes to be in a steady state, thus allowing efficient line emission with modest reprocessing mass and elemental abundances ranging from solar to moderately enriched. We show that the reprocessing is enhanced by down-Comptonization of photons whose energy would otherwise be too high to absorb on iron, and that pair production can have an effect on enhancing the line production. Both "distant" reprocessors such as supernova or wind remnants and "nearby" reprocessors such as outer stellar envelopes can reproduce the observed line fluxes with Fe abundances 30-100 times above solar, depending on the incidence angle. The high incidence angles required arise naturally only in nearby models, which for plausible values can reach Fe line to continuum ratios close to the reported values.Comment: 37 pages, 10 figures. Ap. J in pres

The Poincaré and related groups are algebraically determined Polish groups

The purpose of this paper is to prove a new topological fact about the Poincar\'{e} and related groups. If $G$ is a group, say that $G$ is an algebraically determined Polish (i.e., complete separable metric topological) group if, whenever $H$ is a Polish group and $\varphi: H \to G$ is an algebraic isomorphism, then $\varphi$ is a topological isomorphism. The proper Lorentz group, the proper orthochronous Lorentz group and the Heisenberg group are examples of Polish groups that are not algebraically determined. On the other hand it will be shown that the Lorentz group, the orthochronous Lorentz group and the Poincar\'{e} group and the other closely associated semi-direct products are algebraically determined Polish groups

Modeling of Photoionized Plasmas

In this paper I review the motivation and current status of modeling of plasmas exposed to strong radiation fields, as it applies to the study of cosmic X-ray sources. This includes some of the astrophysical issues which can be addressed, the ingredients for the models, the current computational tools, the limitations imposed by currently available atomic data, and the validity of some of the standard assumptions. I will also discuss ideas for the future: challenges associated with future missions, opportunities presented by improved computers, and goals for atomic data collection.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, to appear in the proceedings of Xray2010, Utrecht, the Netherlands, March 15-17 201

Nitrogen K-shell photoabsorption

Reliable atomic data have been computed for the spectral modeling of the nitrogen K lines, which may lead to useful astrophysical diagnostics. Data sets comprise valence and K-vacancy level energies, wavelengths, Einstein $A$-coefficients, radiative and Auger widths and K-edge photoionization cross sections. An important issue is the lack of measurements which are usually employed to fine-tune calculations so as to attain spectroscopic accuracy. In order to estimate data quality, several atomic structure codes are used and extensive comparisons with previous theoretical data have been carried out. In the calculation of K photoabsorption with the Breit--Pauli $R$-matrix method, both radiation and Auger damping, which cause the smearing of the K edge, are taken into account. This work is part of a wider project to compute atomic data in the X-ray regime to be included in the database of the popular {\sc xstar} modeling code

An X-Ray Spectroscopic Study of the SMC X-1/Sk 160 System

We have investigated the composition and distribution of the wind of Sk 160, the supergiant companion of the X-ray star SMC X-1, by comparing an X-ray spectrum of the source, obtained with the ASCA observatory, during an eclipse with the computed spectra of reprocessed radiation from circumstellar matter with various density distributions. We show that the metal abundance in the wind of Sk 160 is no greater than a few tenths of solar, as has been determined for other objects in the Magellanic Clouds. We also show that the observed X-ray spectrum is not consistent with the density distributions of circumstellar matter of the spherically symmetric form derived for line-driven winds, nor with the density distribution derived from a hydrodynamic simulation of the X-ray perturbed and line-driven wind by Blondin & Woo (1995).Comment: 35 pages including 16 figures, uses AASTeX v5.0.2, accepted to Ap

Atomic data for the K-vacancy states of Fe XXIV

As part of a project to compute improved atomic data for the spectral modeling of iron K lines, we report extensive calculations and comparisons of atomic data for K-vacancy states in Fe XXIV. The data sets include: (i) energy levels, line wavelengths, radiative and Auger rates; (ii) inner-shell electron impact excitation rates and (iii) fine structure inner-shell photoionization cross sections. The calculations of energy levels and radiative and Auger rates have involved a detailed study of orbital representations, core relaxation, configuration interaction, relativistic corrections, cancellation effects and semi-empirical corrections. It is shown that a formal treatment of the Breit interaction is essential to render the important magnetic correlations that take part in the decay pathways of this ion. As a result, the accuracy of the present A-values is firmly ranked at better than 10% while that of the Auger rates at only 15%. The calculations of collisional excitation and photoionization cross sections take into account the effects of radiation and spectator Auger dampings. In the former, these effects cause significant attenuation of resonances leading to a good agreement with a simpler method where resonances are excluded. In the latter, resonances converging to the K threshold display symmetric profiles of constant width that causes edge smearing.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics 200

Early X-ray/UV Line Signatures of GRB Progenitors and Hypernovae

We calculate the X-ray/UV spectral line signatures expected from the interaction of a gamma-ray burst afterglow and a dense pre-burst environment produced by the progenitor. We explore the conditions under which Fe line and edge equivalent widths of $\sim$ 1 keV can arise, and discuss the possibility of gaining information about possible progenitor scenarios using X-ray metal line spectra in the first few days of a burst. A wind or supernova shell around the burst produces an X-ray absorption line spectrum and later emission lines, while a hypernova funnel model produces mainly emission lines. The Fe \ked can in some cases be more prominent than the Fe \kal line. Under simple assumptions for the input continuum luminosity, current reports of observed Fe line luminosities are compatible with an Fe-enriched funnel model, while lower values are expected in shell models.Comment: revisions to ApJ ms first submitted 8/21/99; uses a higher and flatter input spectrum, with modified implications suggesting preference for funnel model

Decay Properties of K-Vacancy States in Fe X-Fe XVII

We report extensive calculations of the decay properties of fine-structure K-vacancy levels in Fe X-Fe XVII. A large set of level energies, wavelengths, radiative and Auger rates, and fluorescence yields has been computed using three different standard atomic codes, namely Cowan's HFR, AUTOSTRUCTURE and the Breit-Pauli R-matrix package. This multi-code approach is used to the study the effects of core relaxation, configuration interaction and the Breit interaction, and enables the estimate of statistical accuracy ratings. The K-alpha and KLL Auger widths have been found to be nearly independent of both the outer-electron configuration and electron occupancy keeping a constant ratio of 1.53+/-0.06. By comparing with previous theoretical and measured wavelengths, the accuracy of the present set is determined to be within 2 mA. Also, the good agreement found between the different radiative and Auger data sets that have been computed allow us to propose with confidence an accuracy rating of 20% for the line fluorescence yields greater than 0.01. Emission and absorption spectral features are predicted finding good correlation with measurements in both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to A&A. Electronic Table 3-4 available at http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/palmeri/patrick.htm