Neutron(n)-capture elements (atomic number Z>30), which can be produced in planetary nebula (PN) progenitor stars via s-process nucleosynthesis, have been detected in nearly 100 PNe. This demonstrates that nebular spectroscopy is a potentially powerf
ul tool for studying the production and chemical evolution of trans-iron elements. However, significant challenges must be addressed before this goal can be achieved. One of the most substantial hurdles is the lack of atomic data for n-capture elements, particularly that needed to solve for their ionization equilibrium (and hence to convert ionic abundances to elemental abundances). To address this need, we have computed photoionization cross sections and radiative and dielectronic recombination rate coefficients for the first six ions of Se and Kr. The calculations were benchmarked against experimental photoionization cross section measurements. In addition, we computed charge transfer (CT) rate coefficients for ions of six n-capture elements. These efforts will enable the accurate determination of nebular Se and Kr abundances, allowing robust investigations of s-process enrichments in PNe.
We present multi-configuration Breit-Pauli distorted-wave photoionization (PI) cross sections and radiative recombination (RR) and dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients for the first six krypton ions. These were calculated with the AUTOST
RUCTURE code, using semi-relativistic radial wavefunctions in intermediate coupling. Kr has been detected in several planetary nebulae (PNe) and H II regions, and is a useful tracer of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis. PI, RR, and DR data are required to accurately correct for unobserved Kr ions in ionized nebulae, and hence to determine elemental Kr abundances. PI cross sections have been determined for ground configuration states of Kr^0--Kr^5+ up to 100 Rydbergs. Our Kr^+ PI calculations were significantly improved through comparison with experimental measurements. RR and DR rate coefficients were determined from the direct and resonant PI cross sections at temperatures (10^1--10^7)z^2 K, where z is the charge. We account for Delta n=0 DR core excitations, and find that DR is the dominant recombination mechanism for all but Kr^+ at photoionized plasma temperatures. Internal uncertainties are estimated by comparing results computed with three different configuration-interaction expansions for each ion, and by testing the sensitivity to variations in the orbital radial scaling parameters. The PI cross sections are generally uncertain by 30-50% near the ground state thresholds. Near 10^4 K, the RR rate coefficients are typically uncertain by <10%, while those of DR exhibit uncertainties of factors of 2 to 3, due to the unknown energies of near-threshold autoionizing resonances. With the charge transfer rate coefficients presented in the third paper of this series, these data enable robust Kr abundance determinations in photoionized nebulae for the first time.
We present multi-configuration Breit-Pauli AUTOSTRUCTURE calculations of distorted-wave photoionization (PI) cross sections, and total and partial final-state resolved radiative recombination (RR) and dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients
for the first six ions of the trans-iron element Se. These calculations were motivated by the recent detection of Se emission lines in a large number of planetary nebulae. Se is a potentially useful tracer of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis, but accurate determinations of its abundance in photoionized nebulae have been hindered by the lack of atomic data governing its ionization balance. Our calculations were carried out in intermediate coupling with semi-relativistic radial wavefunctions. PI and recombination data were determined for levels within the ground configuration of each ion, and experimental PI cross-section measurements were used to benchmark our results. For DR, we allowed dn=0 core excitations, which are important at photoionized plasma temperatures. DR is the dominant recombination process for each of these Se ions at temperatures representative of photoionized nebulae (~10^4 K). To estimate the uncertainties of these data, we compared results from three different configuration-interaction expansions for each ion, and tested the sensitivity of the results to the radial scaling factors in the structure calculations. We find that the internal uncertainties are typically 30-50% for the direct PI cross sections and ~10% for the computed RR rate coefficients, while those for low-temperature DR can be considerably larger (from 15-30% up to two orders of magnitude) due to the unknown energies of near-threshold autoionization resonances. The results are suitable for incorporation into photoionization codes used to numerically simulate astrophysical nebulae, and will enable robust determinations of nebular Se abundances.
Absolute photoionization cross-section measurements are reported for Se+ in the photon energy range 18.0-31.0 eV, which spans the ionization thresholds of the 4S_{3/2} ground state and the low-lying 2P_{3/2,1/2} and 2D_{5/2,3/2} metastable states. Th
e measurements were performed using the Advanced Light Source synchrotron radiation facility. Strong photoexcitation-autoionization resonances due to 4p-->nd transitions are seen in the cross-section spectrum and identified with a quantum-defect analysis.
[Abridged] Investigations of neutron(n)-capture element nucleosynthesis and chemical evolution have largely been based on stellar spectroscopy. However, the recent detection of these elements in several planetary nebulae (PNe) indicates that nebular
spectroscopy is a promising new tool for such studies. In PNe, n-capture element abundance determinations reveal details of s-process nucleosynthesis and convective mixing in evolved low-mass stars, as well as the chemical evolution of elements that cannot be detected in stellar spectra. Only one or two ions of a given trans-iron element can typically be detected in individual nebulae. Elemental abundance determinations thus require corrections for the abundances of unobserved ions. Such corrections rely on the availability of atomic data for processes that control the ionization equilibrium of nebulae. Until recently, these data were unknown for virtually all n-capture element ions. For the first five ions of Se, Kr, and Xe -- the three most widely detected n-capture elements in PNe -- we are calculating photoionization cross sections and radiative and dielectronic recombination rate coefficients using the multi-configuration Breit-Pauli atomic structure code AUTOSTRUCTURE. Charge transfer rate coefficients are being determined with a multichannel Landau-Zener code. To calibrate these calculations, we have measured absolute photoionization cross sections of Se and Xe ions at the Advanced Light Source synchrotron radiation facility. These atomic data can be incorporated into photoionization codes, which we will use to derive ionization corrections (hence abundances) for Se, Kr, and Xe in ionized nebulae. These results are critical for honing nebular spectroscopy into a more effective tool for investigating the production and chemical evolution of trans-iron elements in the Universe.
Spectroscopy of planetary nebulae (PNe) provides the means to investigate s-process enrichments of neutron(n)-capture elements that cannot be detected in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. However, accurate abundance determinations of these element
s present a challenge. Corrections for unobserved ions can be large and uncertain, since in many PNe only one ion of a given n-capture element has been detected. Furthermore, the atomic data governing the ionization balance of these species are not well-determined, inhibiting the derivation of accurate ionization corrections. We present initial results of a program that addresses these challenges. Deep high resolution optical spectroscopy of ~20 PNe has been performed to detect emission lines from trans-iron species including Se, Br, Kr, Rb, and Xe. The optical spectral region provides access to multiple ions of these elements, which reduces the magnitude and importance of uncertainties in the ionization corrections. In addition, experimental and theoretical efforts are providing determinations of the photoionization cross-sections and recombination rate coefficients of Se, Kr, and Xe ions. These new atomic data will make it possible to derive robust ionization corrections for these elements. Together, our observational and atomic data results will enable n-capture element abundances to be determined with unprecedented accuracy in ionized nebulae.
We present results from the first large-scale survey of neutron(n)-capture element abundances in planetary nebulae (PNe). This survey was motivated by the fact that a PN may be enriched in n-capture elements if its progenitor star experienced s-proce
ss nucleosynthesis during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. [Kr III] 2.199 and/or [Se IV] 2.287 $mu$m were detected in 81 PNe out of 120 PNe, for a detection rate of nearly 70%. We derive Se and Kr abundances or upper limits using ionization correction factors derived from photoionization models. A significant range is found in the Se and Kr abundances, from near solar (no enrichment), to enriched by a factor of ten. Our survey has increased the number of PNe with known n-capture element abundances by an order of magnitude, enabling us to explore correlations between s-process enrichments and other nebular and central star properties. In particular, the Se and Kr enrichments display a positive correlation with nebular C/O ratios, as theoretically expected. Peimbert Type I PNe and bipolar PNe, whose progenitors are believed to be intermediate-mass stars (>3-4 M_sun), exhibit little or no s-process enrichment. Interestingly, PNe with H-deficient [WC] central stars do not exhibit systematically larger s-process enrichments than other PNe, despite the fact that their central stars are enriched in C and probably n-capture elements. Finally, the few PNe in our sample with known or probable binary central star systems exhibit little s-process enrichment, which may be explained if binary interactions truncated their AGB phases. We also briefly discuss a new observational program to detect optical emission lines of n-capture elements, and new atomic data calculations that will greatly improve the accuracy of n-capture element abundance determinations in PNe.
