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Cowan, R. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Cowan, R. D..

17 records
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NASA NTRS1985

Calculations of atomic processes in Fe XVII

A synoptic study has been made of the neon-like ion Fe XVII in order to improve knowledge of its line production in high-temperature, low-density plasmas. The following were computed: (1) distorted wave, electron collision strengths from the ground level to all 88 levels with one n = 3 - or n = 4 electron; (2) a complete cascade matrix; (3) the contribution of resonances to the n = 3 level population rates; and (4) the resulting X-ray and EUV line emission coefficients as functions of temperature between T = 10 to the 5.6 and T = 10 to the 8.4 K. Results are presented for typical population rates, line emission coefficients fitted with a useful formula for spectrum calculations, and the dielectronic recombination rate.

Smith, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A solar spectral line list between 10 and 200 A modified for application to high spectral resolution X-ray astronomy

A spectral line list for the 10-200 A range is developed from existing solar spectra for application to high spectral resolution measurements of astrophysical plasmas. The solar spectral line lists are merged into a single comprehensive list. The effect of the solar emission measure distribution is removed from the line intensities, which results in a set of emission rates for the lines that can be applied to many optically thin, low density high temperature plasmas in ionization equilibrium. In addition to the measured solar lines, 250 theoretical lines are added to this list. These lines fall in wavelength regions where the existing solar lists have few lines because of limitations in instrumental sensitivity. Also, some lines have been added because the sun has very little plasma at temperatures of about one million K, and consequently these lines are weak or absent in solar spectra. The entire list contains about 600 lines. Finally, predicted spectra of the two RS CVn stars, alpha Aur (Capella) and UX Ari, are presented at 1 and 0.25 A spectral resolution. Also, the solar spectrum is shown at 1 A resolution, and the emission rate spectrum (spectrum not modified by an emission measure distribution) is shown at very high spectral resolution. The predicted spectra for Capella and UX Ari are based on results obtained from the Einstein and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spacecraft.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analysis of magnesium XI line profiles from solar active regions

High-resolution solar spectra of the Mg XI 1s2 1S0-1s2p 1P1 resonance line at 9.169 A and the associated nearby satellite lines obtained from two rocket-borne crystal spectrometer measurements are presented. Comparisons with two independent sets of theoretical calculations for the 1s2nl-1s2pnl dielectronic satellite lines with n = 3-7 indicate electron temperatures of 4-4.5 million K. Measured line widths indicate either that the ion temperature exceeds the electron temperature by about a million K or that about 28 km/s of turbulence is present.

Blake, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Inner-shell transitions in Fe XIX-XXII in the X-ray spectra of solar flares and Tokamaks

Calculated spectra of the ions Fe XIX-XXII for various densities and temperatures are presented, thereby extending the work begun by Doschek, Feldman, and Cowan (1981). The calculations are based on a code (the Cowan code) that computes both the level structure of an ion and intensity factors for the 1s-2p satellite lines. A comparison is made between the calculated spectra and those observed in solar flares by the P78-1 and SMM instruments. The observed intensities of Fe XX lines, which are the most sensitive to density, are found to agree well with those calculated in the low-density limit. The agreement for lines arising from other ions is also very good. It is also seen that the predicted density variations in Fe XX are confirmed by the higher density Princeton Large Torus plasmas. Thus a possible useful density diagnostic is indicated for tokamak and high-density astrophysical plasmas, perhaps including some solar flares.

Phillips, K. J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Theoretical oscillator strengths for 21 spin-forbidden lines of C, N, O, Al, and Si

Detailed calculations are reported of the oscillator strengths of 21 spin-forbidden lines of C II, C III, N I, N II, N III, O I, O II, Al II, and Si III, including 10 lines arising from seven ground levels. All 21 lines lie in the region from 1160 to 2670 A, and the oscillator strengths probably are accurate typically to + or - 50%. These weak lines are particularly important in determining accurate elemental abundances in the interstellar gas.

Cowan, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A discussion of theoretical ionization equilibrium calculations based on solar flare X-ray spectra

Several sets of ionization equilibrium calculations exist for use in interpreting X-ray and EUV spectra of astrophysical plasmas. In particular, the calculations of Jordan (1969, 1970), Jacobs et al. (1977, 1978) and Summers (1974) are well known. The temperatures of maximum fractional abundance calculated by Summers for the more highly ionized and heavier elements such as iron are about a factor of two higher than the temperatures calculated by Jordan and Jacobs et al. By the use of recently obtained X-ray spectra of solar flares, it is shown that the temperatures calculated by Summers (1974) for iron are incorrect. The temperatures calculated by Jordan or Jacobs et al. should be used until further improvements become available.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. V - Interpretation of inner-shell transitions in Fe XX-Fe XXIII

The paper examines high-resolution solar flare iron line spectra recorded between 1.82 and 1.97 A by a spectrometer flown by the Naval Research Laboratory on an Air Force spacecraft launched on 1979 February 24. The emission line spectrum is due to inner-shell transitions in the ions Fe XX-Fe XXV. Using theoretical spectra and calculations of line intensities obtained by methods discussed by Merts, Cowan, and Magee (1976), electron temperatures as a function of time for two large class X flares are derived. These temperatures are deduced from intensities of lines of Fe XXII, Fe XXIII, and Fe XXIV. The determination of the differential emission measure between about 12-million and 20-million K using these temperatures is considered. The possibility of determining electron densities in flare and tokamak plasmas using the inner-shell spectra of Fe XXI and Fe XX is discussed.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

L-series satellite spectra in Ti XII and Fe XVI

Transitions in Na-like Ti and Fe ions, which appear as satellites to 2p-3s and 2p-3d transitions in Ne-like ions, were studied. The soft X-ray spectra produced by a focused-laser source and a vacuum-spark device were obtained with the same grazing-incidence spectrograph. Atomic structure calculations agreed with the observed 2p-3s spectral patterns and made possible line identifications in Ti XII and Fe XVI.

Burkhalter, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Transitions 2s/2/ 2p/k/ - 2s 2p/k+1/ of the F I, O I, and N I isoelectronic sequences

Transitions of the type 2s/2/ 2p/k/ - 2s 2p/k+1/ have been identified for the elements from titanium through nickel for ions of the fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen isoelectronic sequences. Wavelengths, visual intensity estimates, and energies are given. The energy differences of levels of the ground configuration are compared with predictions based on semiempirical equations derived by Edlen. Some of the lines of these isoelectronic sequences should be strong lines in solar-flare spectra.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Laser-plasma spectra of highly ionized fluorine

Lines between 11.3 and 17.2 A of lithium-like, helium-like, and hydrogen-like fluorine have been observed in spectra of laser-produced plasmas. These lines include nine members of the Lyman series of F IX; eight members of the principal series of F VIII; and satellite lines arising from doubly excited configurations of F VII and F VIII. Similar satellite lines of the abundant solar elements have been identified in soft X-ray spectra of solar flares. A wavelength list of fluorine lines is given, and physical conditions in the plasma are discussed.

Feldman, U.↗