P. K. Raju

Density dependence of solar emission lines of oxygen-like ions

Steady state level density of 20 levels of boron-like ions, Mg viii and Si x, have been computed as a function of electron density and temperature. We have accounted for collisional and spontaneous radiative processes. Photo-excitation between the two levels of the ground term has also been considered. Using the computed level density, line intensities have been obtained as a function of electron density and temperature. In case of Mg viii, line intensity ratio I(430.47)/I(436.62) is found to be electron density sensitive. Likewise other pairs of lines namely, I(75.03)/I(74.86), I(315.02)/I(430.47), and I(315.02)/I(335.23) are also found to be density sensitive. Similar density sensitive line intensity ratios have been found for Si x. Absolute line fluxes from these ions at earth distance have been computed and are found to be comparable with values obtained, using various satellite and rocket measurements.

Density diagnostics of solar emission lines from nitrogen-like ions

Abstract Steady state level population of 13 levels of nitrogen-like ions; Ne IV, Mg VI, Si VIII, and S X have been computed as a function of electron density and temperature. We have accounted for collisional and spontaneous radiative processes. Photo-excitations among the ground term levels have also been considered. Using the computed level populations line intensities have been obtained as a function of electron density and temperature. This study indicates that line intensity ratios for nitrogen-like ions can be used as a density monitor of the solar plasma. Absolute line fluxes from these ions at earth distance have been computed and compared with values obtained using various satellite and rocket measurements.

Density and temperature diagnostics of solar emission lines from NeVI and MgVI

Line intensity ratios of NeVI lines with respect to a resonance line of MgVI have been considered for electron density and temperature determinations within the chromosphere-corona transition region. The electron pressure within the transition region has been assumed to be constant. In addition, these ratios would enable us to estimate the relative element abundances of neon to magnesium. An attempt has been made to explain the extreme ultraviolet intensities of NeVI and MgVI lines as observed by ATM ultraviolet spectrometer. The observed intensities correspond to the average quiet-Sun conditions near solar minimum. Theoretical intensities for NeVI and MgVI lines have been computed using a model solar atmosphere. Theoretical intensities obtained by using the values 3.98 × 10−5 and 3.16 × 10−5 for element abundance of Ne and Mg, respectively, seem to agree well with the expected intensities. The agreement between some of the expected and computed intensities suggests the need for future observations at higher spectral resolutions to resolve difficulties arising out of blending due to two or more lines.

Comparison of computed fluxes for Fex and Fexiv lines with observed values at 1980 eclipse

Fluxes have been computed for Fex (6374 Å) and Fe xiv (5303 Å) lines as a function of solar radii and at various coronal tempratures. The electron density derived from the white light corona during the total solar eclipse of 1980 were used in the computations. Fluxes in adjacent continua have also been computed. The computed ratios of line flux to the square of continuum flux at a coronal temperature of 1.6 × 106 K show a good fit with the observed values for Fex line. Further, radiative excitation seems to dominate over collisional excitation beyond 1.3 solar radius.

Emission lines from nitrogen-like ions and their diagnostic use

Line emissions from nitrogen-like ions NeIV, MgVI, and AlVII have been studied as a diagnostic probe for the emitting regions of astrophysical plasma. Line intensities from these ions have been calculated and compared, in this study, with available observational data for solar plasma.

Density and temperature diagnostics of solar emission lines from NeV/MgV and SiVII/MgVII Ions

We present NeV/MgV and SiVII/MgVII theoretical line intensity ratios as a function of electron densityNe and temperatureTe. These are shown in the form of ratio-ratio diagrams, which should in principle allow bothNe andTe to be deduced for the emitting region of the solar plasma. We apply these diagnostics in the solar atmosphere, and discuss the available observations made from space. In most cases, however, we deduceNe andTe from the computed absolute line intensities in a spherically symmetric model atmosphere of the Sun. Possible future applications of this investigation to spectral data from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) are briefly discussed.

On the line ratio diagnostics for NeV, MgV, SiVII and MgVII solar ions

We present NeVMgV and MgVIISiVII theoretical line intensity ratios as a function of electron density and temperature for physical conditions within the solar chromosphere-corona transition region. The electron pressure within the emission regions has been assumed to be a constant parameter. These line intensity ratios in addition could be useful for estimating relative element abundances NeMg and MgSi. Line intensities of these ions have been computed using a model solar atmosphere and these have been compared with the available observed values for the quiet -Sun conditions. The analysis suggests the need for observations at higher spectral resolution. The successful launch of the SOHO satellite recently should provide such spectra.