Inelastic O+H collisions and the OI 777nm solar centre-to-limb variation

The OI 777 nm triplet is a key diagnostic of oxygen abundances in the atmospheres of FGK-type stars; however it is sensitive to departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). The accuracy of non-LTE line formation calculations has hitherto been limited by errors in the inelastic O+H collisional rate coefficients: several recent studies have used the so-called Drawin recipe, albeit with a correction factor $\mathrm{S_{H}}$ that is calibrated to the solar centre-to-limb variation of the triplet. We present a new model oxygen atom that incorporates inelastic O+H collisional rate coefficients using an asymptotic two-electron model based on linear combinations of atomic orbitals, combined with a free electron model, based on the impulse approximation. Using a 3D hydrodynamic stagger model solar atmosphere and 3D non-LTE line formation calculations, we demonstrate that this physically-motivated approach is able to reproduce the solar centre-to-limb variation of the triplet to 0.02 dex, without any calibration of the inelastic collisional rate coefficients or other free parameters. We infer $\log\epsilon_{\mathrm{O}}=8.69\pm0.03$ from the triplet alone, strengthening the case for a low solar oxygen abundance.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures; published in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Ca line formation in late-type stellar atmospheres: I. The model atom

Context. Departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) distort the calcium abundance derived from stellar spectra in various ways, depending on the lines used and the stellar atmospheric parameters. The collection of atomic data adopted in non-LTE (NLTE) calculations must be sufficiently complete and accurate. Aims. We derive NLTE abundances from high-quality observations and reliable stellar parameters using a model atom built afresh for this work, and check the consistency of our results over a wide wavelength range with transitions of atomic and singly ionised calcium. Methods. We built and tested Ca i and Ca ii model atoms with state-of-the-art radiative and collisional data, and tested their performance deriving the Ca abundance in three benchmark stars: Procyon, the Sun, and Arcturus. We have excellent-quality observations and accurate stellar parameters for these stars. Two methods to derive the LTE / NLTE abundances were used and compared. The LTE / NLTE centre-to-limb variation (CLV) of Ca lines in the Sun was also investigated. Results. The two methods used give similar results in all three stars. Several discrepancies found in LTE do not appear in our NLTE results; in particular the agreement between abundances in the visual and infra-red (IR) and the Ca i and Ca ii ionisation balance is improved overall, although substantial line-to-line scatter remains. The CLV of the calcium lines around 6165 Angs can be partially reproduced. We suspect differences between our modelling and CLV results are due to inhomogeneities in the atmosphere that require 3D modelling.Comment: 17 pages, 11 Figure

Quantum-Mechanical Calculations of Cross Sections for Electron Collisions With Atoms and Molecules

An overview of quantum‐mechanical methods to generate cross‐section data for electron collisions with atoms and molecules is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the time‐independent close‐coupling approach, since it is particularly suitable for low‐energy collisions and also allows for systematic improvements as well as uncertainty estimates. The basic ideas are illustrated with examples for electron collisions with argon atoms and methane. For many atomic systems, such as e‐Ar collisions, highly reliable cross sections can now be computed with quantified uncertainties. On the other hand, while electron collision calculations with molecules do provide key input data for plasma models, the methods, and computer codes presently used require further development to make these inputs robust

Dielectronic recombination data for dynamic finite-density plasmas VII. The neon isoelectronic sequence

Dielectronic recombination (DR) and radiative recombination (RR) data for neon-like ions forming sodium-like systems has been calculated as part of the assembly of a DR database necessary for modelling of dynamic and/or finite-density plasmas (Badnell et al. 2003). Dielectronic recombination coefficients for neon-like ions from Na+ to Zn20+, as well as Kr26+, Mo32+, Cd38+, and Xe44+, are presented and the results discussed

Dielectronic recombination data for dynamic finite-density plasmas II. The oxygen isoelectronic sequence

Dielectronic recombination (DR) and radiative recombination (RR) data for oxygen-like ions forming fluorine-like ions have been calculated as part of the assembly of a level-resolved DR and RR database necessary for modelling of dynamic finite-density plasmas (Badnell et al. 2003). Total DR and RR rate coefficients for F+ to Zn22+ are presented and the results discussed. By comparison between perturbative and R-matrix results, we find that RR/DR interference effects are negligible even for the lowest-charged F+ member. We also find that the 2→2 low-temperature DR (no change in the principal quantum number of the core electrons) does not scale smoothly with nuclear charge Z due to resonances straddling the ionization limit, thereby making explicit calculations for each ion necessary. These RR and DR data are suitable for modelling of solar and cosmic plasmas under conditions of collisional ionization equilibrium, photoionization equilibrium, and non-equilibrium ionization