No Arabic abstract
X-ray photoabsorption cross sections have been computed for all magnesium ions using the $R$-matrix method. A comparison with the other available data for Mg II-Mg X shows good qualitative agreement in the resultant resonance shapes. However, for the lower ionization stages, and for singly-ionized Mg II in particular, the previous $R$-matrix results (Witthoeft et al.2009; Witthoeft et al. 2011) overestimate the K-edge position due to the neglect of important orbital relaxation effects, and a global shift downward in photon energy of those cross sections is therefore warranted. We have found that the cross sections for Mg I and Mg II are further complicated by the M-shell ($n=3$) occupancy. As a result, the treatment of spectator Auger decay of $1srightarrow np$ resonances using a method based on multichannel quantum defect theory and an optical potential becomes problematic, making it necessary to implement an alternative, approximate treatment of Auger decay for neutral Mg. The new cross sections are used to fit the Mg K edge in XMM-Newton spectra of the low-mass X-ray binary GS 1826-238, where most of the interstellar Mg is found to be in ionized form.
K-shell photoabsorption cross sections for the isonuclear C I - C IV ions have been computed using the R-matrix method. Above the K-shell threshold, the present results are in good agreement with the independent-particle results of Reilman & Manson (1979). Below threshold, we also compute the strong 1s -> np absorption resonances with the inclusion of important spectator Auger broadening effects. For the lowest 1s -> 2p, 3p resonances, comparisons to available C II, C III, and C IV experimental results show good agreement in general for the resonance strengths and positions, but unexplained discrepancies exist. Our results also provide detailed information on the C I K-shell photoabsorption cross section including the strong resonance features, since very limited laboratory experimental data exist. The resultant R-matrix cross sections are then used to model the Chandra X-ray absorption spectrum of the blazar Mkn 421.
We have measured the energies of the strongest 1s-2ell (ell=s,p) transitions in He- through Ne-like silicon and sulfur ions to an accuracy of better than 1eV using Lawrence Livermore National Laboratorys electron beam ion traps, EBIT-I and SuperEBIT, and the NASA/GSFC EBIT Calorimeter Spectrometer (ECS). We identify and measure the energies of 18 and 21 X-ray features from silicon and sulfur, respectively. The results are compared to new Flexible Atomic Code calculations and to semi-relativistic Hartree Fock calculations by Palmeri et al. (2008). These results will be especially useful for wind diagnostics in high mass X-ray binaries, such as Vela X-1 and Cygnus X-1, where high-resolution spectral measurements using Chandras high energy transmission grating has made it possible to measure Doppler shifts of 100km/s. The accuracy of our measurements is consistent with that needed to analyze Chandra observations, exceeding Chandras 100km/s limit. Hence, the results presented here not only provide benchmarks for theory, but also accurate rest energies that can be used to determine the bulk motion of material in astrophysical sources. We show the usefulness of our results by applying them to redetermine Doppler shifts from Chandra observations of Vela X-1.
This is the final report of a three-paper series on the K-shell photoabsorption and photoionization of trace elements, namely F, Na, P, Cl, K, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu and Zn. K lines and edges from such elements are observed in the X-ray spectra of supernova remnants, galaxy clusters and accreting black holes and neutron stars, their diagnostic potential being limited by poor atomic data. We are completing the previously reported radiative datasets with new photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections for isoelectronic sequences with electron number $19leq Nleq 26$. We are also giving attention to the access, integrity and usability of the whole resulting atomic database. Target representations are obtained with the atomic structure code AUTOSTRUCTURE. Where possible, cross sections for ground-configuration states are computed with the Breit--Pauli $R$-matrix method (BPRM) in either intermediate or $LS$ coupling including damping (radiative and Auger) effects; otherwise and more generally, they are generated in the isolated-resonance approximation with AUTOSTRUCTURE. Cross sections were computed with BPRM only for the K ($N=19$) and Ca ($N=20$) isoelectronic sequences, the latter in $LS$ coupling. For the rest of the sequences ($21leq N leq 26$), AUTOSTRUCTURE was run in $LS$-coupling mode taking into account damping effects. Comparisons between these two methods for K-like Zn XII and Ca-like Zn XI show that, to ensure reasonable accuracy, the $LS$ calculations must be performed taking into account the non-fine-structure relativistic corrections.
Accurate values of electric dipole (E1) amplitudes along with their uncertainties for a number of transitions among low-lying states of Mg$^+$, Ca$^+$, Sr$^+$, and Ba$^+$ are listed by carrying out calculations using a relativistic all-order many-body method. By combining experimental wavelengths with these amplitudes, we quote transition probabilities, oscillator strengths and lifetimes of many short-lived excited states of the above ions. The uncertainties in these radiative properties are also quoted. We also give electric quadrupole (E2) and magnetic dipole (M1) amplitudes of the metastable states of the Ca$^+$, Sr$^+$, and Ba$^+$ ions by performing similar calculations. Using these calculated E1, E2 and M1 matrix elements, we have estimated the transition probabilities, oscillator strengths and lifetimes of a number of allowed and metastable states. These quantities are further compared with the values available from the other theoretical studies and experimental data in the literature. These data will be immensely useful for the astrophysical observations, laboratory analysis and simulations of spectral properties in the above considered alkaline-earth metal ions.
We present $R$-matrix calculations of photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections across the K-edge of Mg, Si, S, Ar, and Ca ions with more than 10 electrons. The calculations include the effects of radiative and Auger damping by means of an optical potential. The wave functions are constructed from single-electron orbital bases obtained using a Thomas--Fermi--Dirac statistical model potential. Configuration interaction is considered among all states up to $n=3$. The damping processes affect the resonances converging to the K-thresholds causing them to display symmetric profiles of constant width that smear the otherwise sharp edge at the photoionization threshold. These data are important for modeling of features found in photoionized plasmas.