arXiv subjects

C. P. Ballance

Publications and source records attributed to C. P. Ballance.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Valence-shell single photoionization of Kr$^{+}$ ions: Experiment and Theory

Photoionization of Kr$^+$ ions was studied in the energy range from 23.3 eV to 39.0 eV at a photon energy resolution of 7.5 meV. Absolute measurements were performed by merging beams of Kr$^+$ ions and of monochromatized synchrotron undulator radiation. Photoionization (PI) of this Br-like ion is characterized by multiple Rydberg series of autoionizing resonances superimposed on a direct photoionization continuum. Resonance features observed in the experimental spectra are spectroscopically assigned and their energies and quantum defects tabulated. The high-resolution cross-section measurements are benchmarked against state-of-the-art theoretical cross-section calculations from the Dirac-Coulomb R-matrix method.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

Dielectronic recombination of W^20+ (4d^10 4f^8): addressing the half-open f-shell

A recent measurement of the dielectronic recombination (DR) of W^20+ [Schippers et al Phys. Rev. A83, 012711 (2011)] found an exceptionally large contribution from near threshold resonances (<1eV). This still affected the Maxwellian rate coefficient at much higher temperatures. The experimental result was found to be a factor 4 or more than that currently in use in the 100-300eV range which is of relevance for modeling magnetic fusion plasmas. We have carried-out DR calculations with AUTOSTRUCTURE which include all significant single electron promotions. Our intermediate coupling (IC) results are more than a factor of 4 larger than our LS-coupling ones at 1eV but still lie a factor 3 below experiment here. If we assume complete (chaotic) mixing of near-threshold autoionizing states then our results come into agreement (to within 20%) with experiment below about 2eV. Our total IC Maxwellian rate coefficients are 50-30% smaller than those based-on experiment over 100-300eV.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

Valence-shell photoionization of chlorine-like Ar$^{+}$ ions

Absolute cross-section measurements for valence-shell photoionization of Ar$^{+}$ ions are reported for photon energies ranging from 27.4 eV to 60.0 eV. The data, taken by merging beams of ions and synchrotron radiation at a photon energy resolution of 10 meV, indicate that the primary ion beam was a statistically weighted mixture of the $^2P^o_{3/2}$ ground state and the $^2P^o_{1/2}$ metastable state of Ar$^{+}$. Photoionization of this C$\ell$-like ion is characterized by multiple Rydberg series of autoionizing resonances superimposed on a direct photoionization continuum. Observed resonance lineshapes indicate interference between indirect and direct photoionization channels. Resonance features are spectroscopically assigned and their energies and quantum defects are tabulated. The measurements are satisfactorily reproduced by theoretical calculations based on an intermediate coupling semi-relativistic Breit-Pauli approximation.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2012

Photoionization cross section calculations for the halogen-like ions Kr$^+$ and Xe$^+$

Photoionization cross sections calculations on the halogen-like ions; Kr$^+$ and Xe$^+$ have been performed for a photon energy range from each ion threshold to 15 eV, using large-scale close-coupling calculations within the Dirac-Coulomb R-matrix approximation. The results from our theoretical work are compared with recent measurements made at the ASTRID merged-beam set-up at the University of Aarhus in Denmark and from the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) trap method at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility in Saint-Aubin, France and the Advanced Light Soure (ALS). For each of these complex ions our theoretical cross section results over the photon energy range investigated are seen to be in excellent agreement with experiment. Resonance energy positions and quantum defects of the prominent Rydberg resonances series identified in the spectra are compared with experiment for these complex halogen like-ions.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2011

A large-scale R-matrix calculation for electron-impact excitation of the Ne$^{2+}$ O-like ion

The five J$Π$ levels within a $np^2$ or $np^4$ ground state complex provide an excellent testing ground for the comparison of theoretical line ratios with astrophysically observed values, in addition to providing valuable electron temperature and density diagnostics. The low temperature nature of the line ratios ensure that the theoretically derived values are sensitive to the underlying atomic structure and electron-impact excitation rates. Previous R-matrix calculations for the Ne$^{2+}$ O-like ion exhibit large spurious structure in the cross sections at higher electron energies, which may affect Maxwellian averaged rates even at low temperatures. Furthermore, there is an absence of comprehensive excitation data between the excited states that may provide newer diagnostics to compliment the more established lines discussed in this paper. To resolve these issues, we present both a small scale 56-level Breit-Pauli (BP) calculation and a large-scale 554 levels R-matrix Intermediate Coupling Frame Transformation (ICFT) calculation that extends the scope and validity of earlier JAJOM calculations both in terms of the atomic structure and scattering cross sections. Our results provide a comprehensive electron-impact excitation data set for all transitions to higher $n$ shells. The fundamental atomic data for this O-like ion is subsequently used within a collisional radiative framework to provide the line ratios across a range of electron temperatures and densities of interest in astrophysical observations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2008

Improved Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae

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 elements 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.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Electron-impact ionization of the metastable excited states of Li+

Electron-impact ionization cross sections for the 1s2s 1S and 1s2s 3S metastable states of Li+ are calculated using both perturbative distorted-wave and non-perturbative close-coupling methods. Term-resolved distorted-wave calculations are found to be approximately 15% above term-resolved R-matrix with pseudostates calculations. On the other hand, configuration-average time-dependent close-coupling calculations are found to be in excellent agreement with the configuration-average R-matrix with pseudostates calculations. The non-perturbative R-matrix and close-coupling calculations provide a benchmark for experimental studies of electron-impact ionization of metastable states along the He isoelectronic sequence.

physics.atom-ph↗