Publication Date:
2021-08-14
Description:
Precise spectral diagnostic modelling of H i and He ii recombination spectra can constrain theoretical models which describe many astrophysical environments. Simple analytic expressions are of interest for collisional l-changing rate coefficients that are used by large-scale population modelling codes. We review, clarify and improve-upon the modified Pengelly & Seaton formulae of Guzmán et al. We show that the recent poor results for it shown by Vrinceanu et al. are due to their misinterpretation of its usage. We also detail efficient numerical algorithms which should enable the full quantum mechanical expression for such rate coefficients to be used much more routinely by modelling codes. We illustrate with some collisional-radiative population modelling for hydrogen.
Print ISSN:
0035-8711
Electronic ISSN:
1365-2966
Topics:
Physics
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