arXiv subjects

F. P. Keenan

Publications and source records attributed to F. P. Keenan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in Fe V, Co VI and Ni VII

Energy levels, Landé $g$-factors and radiative lifetimes are reported for the lowest 182 levels of the 3d$^4$, 3d$^3$4s and 3d$^3$4p configurations of Fe~V, Co~VI and Ni~VII. Additionally, radiative rates ($A$-values) have been calculated for the E1, E2 and M1 transitions among these levels. The calculations have been performed in a quasi-relativistic approach (QR) with a very large {\em configuration interaction} (CI) wavefunction expansion, which has been found to be necessary for these ions. Our calculated energies for all ions are in excellent agreement with the available measurements, for most levels. Discrepancies among various calculations for the radiative rates of E1 transitions in Fe~V are up to a factor of two for stronger transitions ($f \geq 0.1$), and larger (over an order of magnitude) for weaker ones. The reasons for these discrepancies have been discussed and mainly are due to the differing amount of CI and methodologies adopted. However, there are no appreciable discrepancies in similar data for M1 and E2 transitions, or the $g$-factors for the levels of Fe~V, the only ion for which comparisons are feasible.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Energy levels and radiative rates for Cr-like Cu VI and Zn VII

Energy levels and radiative rates (A-values) for transitions in Cr-like Cu~VI and Zn~VII are reported. These data are determined in the quasi-relativistic approach (QR), by employing a very large {\em configuration interaction} (CI) expansion which is highly important for these ions. No radiative rates are available in the literature to compare with our results, but our calculated energies are in close agreement with those compiled by NIST and other available theoretical data, for a majority of the levels. The A-values (and resultant lifetimes) are listed for all significantly contributing E1, E2 and M1 radiative transitions among the energetically lowest 322 levels of each ion.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quiet Sun Hα Transients and Corresponding Small-Scale Transition Region and Coronal Heating

Rapid Blue- and Red-shifted Excursions (RBEs and RREs) are likely to be the on-disk counterparts of Type II spicules. Recently, heating signatures from RBEs/RREs have been detected in IRIS slit-jaw images dominated by transition-region lines around network patches. Additionally, signatures of Type II spicules have been observed in AIA diagnostics. The full-disk, ever-present nature of the AIA diagnostics should provide us with sufficient statistics to directly determine how important RBEs and RREs are to the heating of the transition region and corona. We find, with high statistical significance, that at least 11% of the low-coronal brightenings detected in a quiet-Sun region in 304, can be attributed to either RBEs or RREs as observed in Hα, and a 6% match of 171 detected events to RBEs or RREs with very similar statistics for both types of Hα features. We took a statistical approach that allows for noisy detections in the coronal channels and provides us with a lower, but statistical significant, bound. Further, we consider matches based on overlapping features in both time and space, and find strong visual indications of further correspondence between coronal events and co-evolving but non-overlapping, RBEs and RREs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Large and small-scale structure of the Intermediate and High Velocity Clouds towards the LMC and SMC

We employ CaII K and NaI D interstellar absorption-line spectroscopy of early-type stars in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds to investigate the large- and small-scale structure in foreground Intermediate and High Velocity Clouds (I/HVCs). These data include FLAMES-GIRAFFE CaII K observations of 403 stars in four open clusters, plus FEROS or UVES spectra of 156 stars in the LMC and SMC. The FLAMES observations are amongst the most extensive probes to date of CaII structures on 20 arcsec scales From the FLAMES data within a 0.5 degree field-of-view, the CaII K equivalent width in the I/HVC components towards three clusters varies by factors of >10. There are no detections of molecular gas in absorption at intermediate or high velocities, although molecular absorption is present at LMC and Galactic velocities towards some sightlines. The sightlines show variations in EW exceeding a factor 7 in CH+ towards NGC 1761 over scales of less than 10 arcminutes. The FEROS/UVES data show CaII K I/HVC absorption in $\sim$60 per cent of sightlines. No NaI D is found at non-Magellanic HVC velocities aside from a tentative detection towards the star LHA 120-S 93. The range in the CaII/NaI ratio in I/HVCs is from -0.45 to +1.5 dex, similar to previous measurements for I/HVCs. In ten sightlines we find CaII/OI ratios in I/HVC gas ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 dex below the solar value, indicating either dust or ionisation effects. In nine sightlines I/HVC gas is detected in both HI and CaII, and shows similar CaII/HI ratios to typical I/HVCs, and similar velocities, implying that in these sightlines the two elements form part of the same structure.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

The large- and small-scale CaII K structure of the Milky Way from observations of Galactic and Magellanic sightlines

Aims: By utilising spectra of early-type stellar probes of known distances in the same region of the sky, the large and small-scale (pc) structure of the Galactic ISM can be investigated. This paper determines the variation in line strength of CaII at 3933.661 A, as a function of probe separation for a sample of stars, including many sightlines in the Magellanic Clouds. Methods: FLAMES-GIRAFFE data taken with the VLT towards early-type stars in 3 Galactic & 4 Magellanic open clusters in CaII are used to obtain the velocity, EW, column density and line width of IS Galactic Ca for a total of 657 stars, of which 443 are Magellanic sightlines. In each cluster there are 43-110 stars observed. Additionally, FEROS and UVES CaII & NaI spectra of 21 Galactic & 154 Magellanic early-type stars are presented and combined with data from the literature to study the Ca column density/parallax relationship. Results: For the four Magellanic clusters studied with FLAMES, the strength of the Galactic IS CaII K EW over transverse scales from 0.05-9 pc is found to vary by factors of 1.8-3.0, corresponding to column density variations of 0.3-0.5 dex in the optically-thin approximation. Using FLAMES, FEROS and UVES archive spectra, the min and max reduced EW for MW gas is found to lie in the range 35-125 mA & 30-160 mA for CaII K and NaI D, respectively. The range is consistent with a simple model of the ISM published by van Loon et al. (2009) consisting of spherical cloudlets of filling factor 0.3, although other geometries are not ruled out. Finally, the derived functional form for parallax and CaII column density is found to be pi(mas)=1/(2.39e-13 x N(CaII)(cm-2)+0.11). Our derived parallax is 25 per cent lower than predicted by Megier et al. (2009) at a distance of 100 pc and 15% lower at a distance of 200 pc, reflecting inhomogeneity in the CaII distribution in the different sightlines studied.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Halpha line profile asymmetries and the chromospheric flare velocity field

The asymmetries observed in the line profiles of solar flares can provide important diagnostics of the properties and dynamics of the flaring atmosphere. In this paper the evolution of the Halpha and Ca II 8542 Å lines are studied using high spatial, temporal and spectral resolution ground-based observations of an M1.1 flare obtained with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. The temporal evolution of the Halpha line profiles from the flare kernel shows excess emission in the red wing (red asymmetry) before flare maximum, and excess in the blue wing (blue asymmetry) after maximum. However, the Ca II 8542 Å line does not follow the same pattern, showing only a weak red asymmetry during the flare. RADYN simulations are used to synthesise spectral line profiles for the flaring atmosphere, and good agreement is found with the observations. We show that the red asymmetry observed in Halpha is not necessarily associated with plasma downflows, and the blue asymmetry may not be related to plasma upflows. Indeed, we conclude that the steep velocity gradients in the flaring chromosphere modifies the wavelength of the central reversal in the Halpha line profile. The shift in the wavelength of maximum opacity to shorter and longer wavelengths generates the red and blue asymmetries, respectively.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in Cr-like Co IV and Ni V

We report calculations of energy levels and radiative rates ($A$-values) for transitions in Cr-like Co IV and Ni V. The quasi-relativistic Hartree-Fock (QRHF) code is adopted for calculating the data although GRASP (general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package) and flexible atomic code (FAC) have also been employed for comparison purposes. No radiative rates are available in the literature to compare with our results, but our calculated energies are in close agreement with those compiled by NIST for a majority of the levels. However, there are discrepancies for a few levels of up to 3\%. The $A$-values are listed for all significantly contributing E1, E2 and M1 transitions, and the corresponding lifetimes reported, although unfortunately no previous theoretical or experimental results exist to compare with our data.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Radiative rates for E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions in Br-like ions with 43 $\le$ Z $\le$ 50

Energies and lifetimes are reported for the eight Br-like ions with 43 $\le$ Z $\le$ 50, namely Tc ~IX, Ru~X, Rh~XI, Pd~XII, Ag~XIII, Cd~XIV, In~XV, and Sn~XVI. Results are listed for the lowest 375 levels, which mostly belong to the 4s$^2$4p$^5$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$4$\ell$, 4s4p$^6$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$5$\ell$, 4s$^2$4p$^3$4d$^2$, 4s4p$^5$4$\ell$, and 4s4p$^5$5$\ell$ configurations. Extensive configuration interaction among 39 configurations (generating 3990 levels) has been considered and the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package ({\sc grasp}) has been adopted for the calculations. Radiative rates are listed for all E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions involving the lowest 375 levels. Previous experimental and theoretical energies are available for only a few levels of three, namely Ru~X, Rh~XI and Pd~XII. Differences with the measured energies are up to 4\% but the present results are an improvement (by up to 0.3 Ryd) in comparison to other recently reported theoretical data. Similarly for radiative rates and lifetimes, prior results are limited to those involving only 31 levels of the 4s$^2$4p$^5$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$4d, and 4s4p$^6$configurations for the last four ions. Moreover, there are generally no discrepancies with our results, although the larger calculations reported here differ by up to two orders of magnitude for a few transitions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Stout: Cloudy's Atomic and Molecular Database

We describe a new atomic and molecular database we developed for use in the spectral synthesis code Cloudy. The design of Stout is driven by the data needs of Cloudy, which simulates molecular, atomic, and ionized gas with kinetic temperatures 2.8 K < T < 1e10 K and densities spanning the low to high-density limits. The radiation field between photon energies $10^{-8}$ Ry and 100 MeV is considered, along with all atoms and ions of the lightest 30 elements, and ~100 molecules. For ease of maintenance, the data are stored in a format as close as possible to the original data sources. Few data sources include the full range of data we need. We describe how we fill in the gaps in the data or extrapolate rates beyond their tabulated range. We tabulate data sources both for the atomic spectroscopic parameters and for collision data for the next release of Cloudy. This is not intended as a review of the current status of atomic data, but rather a description of the features of the database which we will build upon.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2015

Radiative rates for E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions in the Br-like ions Sr IV, Y V, Zr VI, Nb VII, and Mo VIII

Energies and lifetimes are reported for the lowest 375 levels of five Br-like ions, namely Sr~IV, Y~V, Zr~VI, Nb~VII, and Mo~VIII, mostly belonging to the 4s$^2$4p$^5$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$4$\ell$, 4s4p$^6$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$5$\ell$, 4s$^2$4p$^3$4d$^2$, 4s4p$^5$4$\ell$, and 4s4p$^5$5$\ell$ configurations. Extensive configuration interaction has been included and the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package ({\sc grasp}) has been adopted for the calculations. Additionally, radiative rates are listed among these levels for all E1, E2, M1, and M2 transitions. From a comparison with the measurements, the majority of our energy levels are assessed to be accurate to better than 2\%, although discrepancies between theory and experiment for a few are up to 6\%. An accuracy assessment of the calculated radiative rates (and lifetimes) is more difficult, because no prior results exist for these ions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in C III

We report energy levels, radiative rates (A-values) and lifetimes for the astrophysically-important Be-like ion C III. For the calculations, 166 levels belonging to the $n \le$ 5 configurations are considered and the {\sc grasp} (General-purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Package) is adopted. Einstein A-coefficients are provided for all E1, E2, M1 and M2 transitions, while lifetimes are compared with available measurements as well as theoretical results, and no large discrepancies noted. Our energy levels are assessed to be accurate to better than 1\% for a majority of levels, and A-values to better than 20\% for most transitions. Collision strengths are also calculated, for which the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code ({\sc darc}) is used. A wide energy range, up to 21 Ryd, is considered and resonances resolved in a fine energy mesh in the thresholds region. The collision strengths are subsequently averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution to determine effective collision strengths up to a temperature of 8.0$\times$10$^5$ K, sufficient for most astrophysical applications. Our data are compared with the recent $R$-matrix calculations of Fern{á}ndez-Menchero, Del Zanna \& Badnell [A\&A 566 (2014) A104], and significant differences (up to over an order of magnitude) are noted for several transitions over the complete temperature range of the results.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

The Dynamics of Rapid Redshifted and Blueshifted Excursions in the Solar Halpha line

We analyse high temporal and spatial resolution time-series of spectral scans of the Halpha line obtained with the CRisp Imaging SpectroPolarimeter (CRISP) instrument mounted on the Swedish Solar Telescope. The data reveal highly dynamic, dark, short-lived structures known as Rapid Redshifted and Blueshifted Excursions (RREs, RBEs) that are on-disk absorption features observed in the red and blue wings of spectral lines formed in the chromosphere. We study the dynamics of RREs and RBEs by tracking their evolution in space and time, measuring the speed of the apparent motion, line-of-sight Doppler velocity, and transverse velocity of individual structures. A statistical study of their measured properties shows that RREs and RBEs have similar occurrence rates, lifetimes, lengths, and widths. They also display non-periodic, non-linear transverse motions perpendicular to their axes at speeds of 4 - 31 km/s. Furthermore, both types of structures either appear as high speed jets and blobs that are directed outwardly from a magnetic bright point with speeds of 50 - 150 km/s, or emerge within a few seconds. A study of the different velocity components suggests that the transverse motions along the line-of-sight of the chromospheric flux tubes are responsible for the formation and appearance of these redshifted/blueshifted structures. The short lifetime and fast disappearance of the RREs/RBEs suggests that, similar to type II spicules, they are rapidly heated to transition region or even coronal temperatures. We speculate that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability triggered by observed transverse motions of these structures may be a viable mechanism for their heating.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Electron impact excitation of Be-like ions: a comparison of DARC and ICFT results

Emission lines of Be-like ions are frequently observed in astrophysical plasmas, and many are useful for density and temperature diagnostics. However, accurate atomic data for energy levels, radiative rates (A-values) and effective electron excitation collision strengths ($Υ$) are required for reliable plasma modelling. In general it is reasonably straightforward to calculate energy levels and A- values to a high level of accuracy. By contrast, considerable effort is required to calculate $Υ$, and hence it is not always possible to assess the accuracy of available data. Recently, two independent calculations (adopting the $R$-matrix method) but with different approaches (DARC and ICFT) have appeared for a range of Be-like ions. Therefore, in this work we compare the two sets of $Υ$, highlight the large discrepancies for a significant number of transitions and suggest possible reasons for these.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Stable Umbral Chromospheric Structures

Aims. To understand the morphology of the chromosphere in sunspot umbra. We investigate if the horizontal structures observed in the spectral core of the Ca II H line are ephemeral visuals caused by the shock dynamics of more stable structures, and examine their relationship with observables in the H-alpha line. Methods. Filtergrams in the core of the Ca II H and H-alpha lines as observed with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope are employed. We utilise a technique that creates composite images and tracks the flash propagation horizontally. Results. We find 0"15 wide horizontal structures, in all of the three target sunspots, for every flash where the seeing was moderate to good. Discrete dark structures are identified that are stable for at least two umbral flashes, as well as systems of structures that live for up to 24 minutes. We find cases of extremely extended structures with similar stability, with one such structure showing an extent of 5". Some of these structures have a correspondence in H-alpha but we were unable to find a one to one correspondence for every occurrence. If the dark streaks are formed at the same heights as umbral flashes then there are systems of structures with strong departures from the vertical for all three analysed sunspots. Conclusions. Long-lived Ca II H filamentary horizontal structures are a common and likely ever-present feature in the umbra of sunspots. If the magnetic field in the chromosphere of the umbra is indeed aligned with the structures, then the present theoretical understanding of the typical umbra needs to be revisited.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Energy levels, radiative rates and lifetimes for transitions in Br-like ions with 38 $\le$ Z $\le$ 42

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in five Br-like ions (Sr IV, Y V, Zr VI, Nb VII and Mo VIII) are calculated with the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package ({\sc grasp}). Extensive configuration interaction has been included and results are presented among the lowest 31 levels of the 4s$^2$4p$^5$, 4s$^2$4p$^4$4d and 4s4p$^6$ configurations. Lifetimes for these levels have also been determined, although unfortunately no measurements are available with which to compare. However, recently theoretical results have been reported by Singh {\em et al} [Phys. Scr. {\bf 88} (2013) 035301] using the same {\sc grasp} code. But their reported data for radiative rates and lifetimes cannot be reproduced and show discrepancies of up to five orders of magnitude with the present calculations.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2014

Energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Be-like Cl XIV, K XVI and Ge XXIX

Results for energy levels, radiative rates and electron impact excitation (effective) collision strengths for transitions in Be-like Cl XIV, K XVI and Ge XXIX are reported. For the calculations of energy levels and radiative rates the General-purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Package ({\sc grasp}) is adopted, while for determining the collision strengths and subsequently the excitation rates, the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code ({\sc darc}) is used. Oscillator strengths, radiative rates and line strengths are listed for all E1, E2, M1 and M2 transitions among the lowest 98 levels of the $n \le$ 4 configurations. Furthermore, lifetimes are provided for all levels and comparisons made with available theoretical and experimental results. Resonances in the collision strengths are resolved in a fine energy mesh and averaged over a Maxwellian velocity distribution to obtain the effective collision strengths. Results obtained are listed over a wide temperature range up to 10$^{7.8}$ K, depending on the ion.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Plasma properties and Stokes profiles during the lifetime of a photospheric magnetic bright point

Aims: to investigate the evolution of plasma properties and Stokes parameters in photospheric magnetic bright points using 3D magneto-hydrodynamical simulations and radiative diagnostics of solar granulation. Methods: simulated time-dependent radiation parameters and plasma properties were investigated throughout the evolution of a bright point. Synthetic Stokes profiles for the FeI 630.25 nm line were calculated, which allowed the evolution of the Stokes-I line strength and Stokes-V area and amplitude asymmetries to also be investigated. Results: our results are consistent with theoretical predictions and published observations describing convective collapse, and confirm this as the bright point formation process. Through degradation of the simulated data to match the spatial resolution of SOT, we show that high spatial resolution is crucial for the detection of changing spectro-polarimetric signatures throughout a magnetic bright point's lifetime. We also show that the signature downflow associated with the convective collapse process is reduced towards zero as the radiation intensity in the bright point peaks, due to the magnetic forces present restricting the flow of material in the flux tube.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Intensity enhancement of O VI ultraviolet emission lines in solar spectra due to opacity

Opacity is a property of many plasmas, and it is normally expected that if an emission line in a plasma becomes optically thick, its intensity ratio to that of another transition that remains optically thin should decrease. However, radiative transfer calculations undertaken both by ourselves and others predict that under certain conditions the intensity ratio of an optically thick to thin line can show an increase over the optically thin value, indicating an enhancement in the former. These conditions include the geometry of the emitting plasma and its orientation to the observer. A similar effect can take place between lines of differing optical depth. Previous observational studies have focused on stellar point sources, and here we investigate the spatially-resolved solar atmosphere using measurements of the I(1032 A)/I(1038 A) intensity ratio of O VI in several regions obtained with the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) instrument on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO) satellite. We find several I(1032 A)/I(1038 A) ratios observed on the disk to be significantly larger than the optically thin value of 2.0, providing the first detection (to our knowledge) of intensity enhancement in the ratio arising from opacity effects in the solar atmosphere. Agreement between observation and theory is excellent, and confirms that the O VI emission originates from a slab-like geometry in the solar atmosphere, rather than from cylindrical structures.

astro-ph.SR↗