Atomic and Molecular Data in Astronomy and Astrophysics

A special issue of Atoms (ISSN 2218-2004).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 4243

Special Issue Editors

Department of Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 20506 Malmö, Sweden
Interests: atomic structure theory; high-resolution spectroscopy
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil
Interests: atomic spectroscopy; astrophysics
Centro de InvestigacionesÓpticas (CIOp), M.B. Gonnet, La Plata P.O. Box 3 (1897), Argentina
Interests: atomic databases and related topics; astrophysical and laboratory plasmas: atomic data needs; atomic lifetime and oscillator strength determination; atomic calculation
Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund Observatory, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
Interests: high-resolution spectroscopy; exoplanet atmospheres; cool stars

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of atomic and molecular data for analysis in astronomy is rarely highlighted in the astronomical community due to their often-technical nature and the natural focus on results from investigations of studied objects. However, the quality of atomic and molecular data is essential for the enhancing the discoveries made in atomic research.

In recent years, great progress has been made in theoretical structure calculations combined with laboratory measurements, the development of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium theory, empirical astrophysical determinations of stellar parameters in the infrared spectral regions, etc.

This Special Issue aims to provide an outlet for presenting recent research developments that are easily accessible to the astronomic community, bringing into focus all of these developments. Its scope includes calculations and experimental observations of parameters related to atomic transitions (line wavelength and intensity, transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, lifetimes, line broadening by external fields, etc.), the study of astrophysical plasmas, and atomic processes in general, which contribute to astrophysical studies. Experimental observations that contribute to previous conclusions on atomic data are also within the scope of this Special Issue.

By focusing on a theme dedicated to applications in astrophysics, Atoms aims to promote atomic spectroscopy as a tool for studying astronomical objects, drawing the attention of researchers from other fields of physics to the requirements of this important area of knowledge.

Dr. Henrik Hartman
Dr. Cesar José Bonjuani Pagan
Dr. Mónica Raineri
Dr. Brian Thorsbro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atoms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • spectroscopy
  • atomic structure
  • oscillator strengths, line identification, critical assessment of theoretical atomic data
  • empirical astrophysical methods
  • uncertainties of atomic and molecular data
  • non-local thermodynamic equilibrium theory
  • atomic transition probabilities

Published Papers (3 papers)

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20 pages, 781 KiB  
Article
Quantum Dielectric Model for Energy Loss of Particles in Astrophysical Plasmas
by Claudio D. Archubi and Nestor R. Arista
Atoms 2023, 11(10), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms11100131 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1009
Abstract
We present the results obtained using a novel quantum approach to describe the interaction of charged particles with the astrophysical type of plasmas, based on the dielectric plasma-wave-packet model (PWPM) together with a full description of statistical effects on energy exchange processes. We [...] Read more.
We present the results obtained using a novel quantum approach to describe the interaction of charged particles with the astrophysical type of plasmas, based on the dielectric plasma-wave-packet model (PWPM) together with a full description of statistical effects on energy exchange processes. We use this formulation to calculate the energy loss moments for protons, positrons, and electrons traversing different stellar plasmas on a wide range of projectile velocities and plasma densities and temperatures. We consider special quantum restrictions for the cases of positrons and electrons, including relativistic corrections for high-velocity particles. We analyze and compare the results for different cases of main interest, from dilute solar-corona plasma to cases of increasing densities in the interior of the sun and in the dense regions of giant stars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atomic and Molecular Data in Astronomy and Astrophysics)
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16 pages, 1171 KiB  
Article
Cyanide Molecular Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy with Current Databases
by Christian G. Parigger
Atoms 2023, 11(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms11040062 - 01 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1278
Abstract
This work discusses diatomic molecular spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma and analysis of data records, specifically signatures of cyanide, CN. Line strength data from various databases are compared for simulation of the CN, B2Σ+X2Σ+, [...] Read more.
This work discusses diatomic molecular spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma and analysis of data records, specifically signatures of cyanide, CN. Line strength data from various databases are compared for simulation of the CN, B2Σ+X2Σ+, Δv=0 sequence. Of interest are recent predictions using an astrophysical database, i.e., ExoMol, a laser-induced fluorescence database, i.e., LIFBASE, and a program for simulating rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra, i.e., PGOPHER. Cyanide spectra that are predicted from these databases are compared with line-strength data that have been in use by the author for the last three decades in the analysis of laser–plasma emission spectra. Comparisons with experimental laser–plasma records are communicated as well for spectral resolutions of 33 and 110 picometer. The accuracy of the CN line-strength data is better than one picometer. Laboratory experiments utilize 308 nm, 35 picosecond bursts within an overall 1 nanosecond pulse-width, and 1064 nm, 6 ns pulse-width radiation. Experimental results are compared with predictions. Differences of the databases are elaborated for equilibrium of rotational and vibrational modes and at an internal, molecular temperature of the order of 8,000 Kelvin. Applications of accurate CN data include, for example, combustion diagnosis, chemistry, and supersonic and hypersonic expansion diagnosis. The cyanide molecule is also of interest in the study of astrophysical phenomena. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atomic and Molecular Data in Astronomy and Astrophysics)
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33 pages, 484 KiB  
Review
Atomic Lifetimes of Astrophysical Interest in Ions of Fe
by Elmar Träbert
Atoms 2023, 11(5), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms11050085 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1167
Abstract
Multiply charged ions of iron dominate the EUV spectrum of the solar corona. For the interpretation of such spectra, data on both the atomic structure and the transition rate are essential, most of which are provided by theory and computation. The wavelengths of [...] Read more.
Multiply charged ions of iron dominate the EUV spectrum of the solar corona. For the interpretation of such spectra, data on both the atomic structure and the transition rate are essential, most of which are provided by theory and computation. The wavelengths of observed spectra are used to test the predicted energy level structure, while the line intensities depend on level lifetimes and branch fractions. A number of electric dipole and higher-order transition rates have been measured over the years in the laboratory, mostly by beam-foil spectroscopy, at heavy-ion storage rings, and at various ion traps. In this paper, the state of the knowledge base on level lifetimes in all ions of Fe is assessed, and the problems of further progress are outlined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atomic and Molecular Data in Astronomy and Astrophysics)
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