Atomic data for non-LTE model stellar atmospheres

T. Lanz, I. Hubeny, A. De Koter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We briefly review the state-of-the-art in non-LTE modeling of hot star atmospheres. During the last decade, the development of a new class of radiation transfer methods, based on the Accelerated Lambda Iteration method, have brought considerable progress in this field. Severe limitations of the size of model atoms used in non-LTE model atmospheres have been removed, so that realistic model atoms can now be considered. In recent years, the problem of non-LTE line blanketing, which aims to include the influence of thousands to millions of lines on the atmospheric structure, has been attacked, and first non-LTE line-blanketed models have been calculated. We illustrate the importance of non-LTE line blanketing with the example of a hot subdwarf, BD +75° 325. As a consequence of these developments, there is a need for extensive radiative and collisional atomic databases to build non-LTE models. Recent projects, like the Opacity Project, provide a substantial quantity of the necessary data. We discuss the current needs of atomic data for the purpose of building reliable non-LTE line-blanketed model atmospheres. A critical evaluation of the quality of such extensive sets of atomic data is essential. Finally, we present a new, IDL-based, graphic tool intended to facilitate the manipulation of large amounts of data needed to build the realistic model atoms that we use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)144-150
Number of pages7
JournalPhysica Scripta T
Volume65
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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