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Results for “LYMAN LINES”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Transient components in the Lyman lines of hot stars Evidence for the ejection of shells or puffs on very short timescales

The existence of H I transient components in the stellar wind of Epsilon Per toward eight early type stars observed by the Copernicus satellite is systematically investigated. It is shown that such transient components are indeed present in the spectra of five of these stars and have characteristics very similar to the one found in the case of Epsilon Per. It is shown that such components can be interpreted in terms of coherent 'puffs' or shells of matter ejected by the stars. They would be caused by an increase of the stellar mass loss rate by a factor of 1.5 to 3 during one hour or less, and would be accelerated more slowly than the quiet wind. It is suggested that such events must be due to instabilities in these stars which are all slightly evolved stars ranging in spectral types between O9 and B1. The instabilities are probably similar to those in Beta Cephei stars, i.e., nonradial pulsations.

Gry, C.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Prospects of Detecting Nonthermal Protons in Solar Flares via Lyman Line Spectroscopy: Revisiting the Orrall-Zirker Effect

Solar flares are efficient particle accelerators, with a substantial fraction of the energy released manifesting as nonthermal particles. While the role that nonthermal electrons play in transporting flare energy is well studied, the properties and importance of nonthermal protons are rather less well understood. This is in large part due to the paucity of diagnostics, particularly at the lower-energy (deka-keV) range of nonthermal proton distributions in flares. One means to identify the presence of deka-keV protons is by an effect originally described by Orrall & Zirker. In the Orrall–Zirker effect, nonthermal protons interact with ambient neutral hydrogen, and via charge exchange produce a population of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) in the chromosphere. These ENAs subsequently produce an extremely redshifted photon in the red wings of hydrogen spectral lines. We revisit predictions of the strength of this effect using modern interaction cross sections, and numerical models capable of self-consistently simulating the flaring nonequilibrium ionization stratification, and the nonthermal proton distribution (and, crucially, their feedback on each other). We synthesize both the thermal and nonthermal emission from Ly α and Ly β, the most promising lines that may exhibit a detectable signal. These new predictions are weaker and more transient than prior estimates, but the effects should be detectable in fortuitous circumstances. We degrade the Ly β emission to the resolution of the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) instrument on board Solar Orbiter, demonstrating that though likely difficult, it should be possible to detect the presence of nonthermal protons in flares observed by SPICE.

Solar flares↗
NASA NTRS1995

Coronal magnetic field diagnostics via the Hanle effect of Lyman series lines

The magnetic field plays a major role in the physics of the solar corona. However, there are no direct measurements of this physical parameter. We describe a method that can provide the most direct determination of the vector magnetic field in the extended corona (i.e., at heliocentric heights between 1.2 R(solar radius) and 2.0 R(solar radius)). The method is based on polarimetric observations of UV lines of the Lyman series, that is, Lyman alpha (Ly-alpha), lambda 1216 A, Lyman beta (Ly-beta), lambda 1025 A, and Lyman gamma (Ly-gamma), lambda 972 A. These lines have a collisional and a resonantly scattered component. Linear polarization is induced in the resonant component by the anisotropy in the chromospheric radiation field that illuminates the corona. Magnetic fields can be suitably determined through the effects that they induce on this resonance polarization (Hanle effect). The Hanle effect of the Ly-alpha is sensitive to field strengths in the 10 - 100 gauss range. The resonance polarization of Ly-beta and Ly-gamma is sensitive, through the Hanle effect, to fields with strengths between 3 - 30 gauss, and 0.3 - 6 gauss, respectively. We describe a new method for separating the resonant from the collisional component of the Ly-beta and Ly-gamma; the method is based on the approximation, valid within 10%, that the collisional component of the Ly-alpha is negligible, in typical coronal conditions. From the intensity and the polarization of the resonant components of these Lyman lines, the strength and direction of coronal fields can be determined. We model the sensitivity of Hanle-effect diagnostics for different coronal structures (e.g., coronal holes and loops).

Fineschi, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Stark-profile calculations for Lyman-series lines of one-electron ions in dense plasmas

The frequency distributions of the first six Lyman lines of hydrogenlike carbon, oxygen, neon, magnesium, aluminum, and silicon ions broadened by the local fields of both ions and electrons are calculated for dense plasmas. The electron collisions are treated by an impact theory allowing (approximately) for level splittings caused by the ion fields, finite duration of the collisions, and screening of the electron fields. These calculations are fully quantum mechanical and include the full Coulomb interaction. Ion effects are calculated in the quasistatic, linear-Stark-effect approximation, using distribution functions of Hooper and Tighe which include correlation and shielding effects. Theoretical uncertainties from the various approximations are estimated, and the scaling of the profiles with density, temperature, and nuclear charge is discussed. A correction for the effects caused by low-frequency field fluctuations is suggested.

Griem, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The intrinsic H I Lyman-alpha line profiles of late-type stars

The Lyman-alpha line of neutral hydrogen is probably the most important cooling channel for chromospheric plasma in late-type stars, yet it is also the least studied major line in the far ultraviolet. The scattering of much of the stellar Lyman-alpha flux by interstellar hydrogen, coupled with the geocoronal emission foreground, seriously complicates the analysis of the Lyman-alpha spectra. The influence of the local interstellar medium on the observed profiles was circumvented by observing stars with radial velocities sufficiently high to Doppler shift the center of the stellar emission line out of the interstellar absorption core. There are several stars that have high radial velocities by virtue of their presence in close binary systems. High resolution IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) spectra of Ly alpha line of two such eclipsing binary stars, AR Lac and TY Pyx, are obtained, at each orbital quadrature phase, when the projected orbital velocity is a maximum. By combining the spectra from opposite quadratures it is possible to piece together the entire stellar emission profiles. The third star in this study, delta Lep, is a single star with a high space velocity.

Neff, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The Lyman-alpha line in various solar features. I - Observations

Lyman-alpha line observations of the solar atmosphere obtained by the SMM ultraviolet spectrometer and polarimeter are presented. High spectral and spatial resolution data and broadband spectroheliograms show that, on the disk, the central reversal of the line is highly variable in depth and is frequently shifted, leading to asymmetric profiles. It is suggested that a dynamic layer overlying the limb may be responsible for distorting the background profile of the line and producing the observed asymmetric profiles. Narrow and extended prominences reaching velocities of several hundred km/sec are also noted.

Fontenla, J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lyman alpha line shapes from electron impact H2 dissociative processes in the Jovian auroral zone

Over the past two years several Lyman alpha line profile spectra of Jupiter were obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) telescope. Several different regions of the planet were observed including the auroral zone, the low and mid latitudes, and the equatorial region which includes the Lyman alpha bulge region. These results have presented a very interesting picture of atomic hydrogen on Jupiter with explanations that range from ion outflow in the auroral zone to large thermospheric winds at low and mid latitudes. New data are needed to address the outstanding questions. Almost certainly, high resolution spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope will play a role in new observations. Better data also require better models, and better models require new laboratory data as inputs. The purpose of this program is two-fold: (1) to introduce a method by which new laboratory electron impact measurements of H2 dissociation can be used to calculate both the slow and fast H(S-2) and H(P-2) fragments in an H2 atmosphere; and (2) to determine the predicted Lyman alpha line shape that would result from electron impact production of these dissociative fragments in the Jovian auroral zone.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Recombination line intensities for hydrogenic ions. III - Effects of finite optical depth and dust

The effect on the recombination spectrum of hydrogen arising from: (1) finite optical thickness in the Lyman lines; (2) the overlapping of Lyman lines near the series limit; (3) the absorption of Lyman lines by dust or photoionization, and (4) the long-wave radiation emitted by dust is examined. Full account is taken of electron and heavy particle collisions in redistributing energy and angular momentum. It is seen that each of these deviations from the classical Case B leads to observable effects, and that dust influences the recombination spectrum in characteristic ways that may make possible new observational constraints on dust properties in nebulosities. On the basis of these calculations it is believed that the uncertainty in the determination of the helium-to-hydrogen abundance ratio in the universe may be larger than currently claimed.

Hummer, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Variability of Solar UV Irradiance Related to Bright Magnetic Features Observed in Call K-Line: Relationship between Lyman alpha and K-line Report for UARS funding agency

In this report we comment on the relationship between the Lyman alpha and Calcium K-line emission from the Sun. We firstly examine resolved Lyman alpha images (from TRACE) and resolved K-line images. We find that the Lyman alpha emission is consistent with a linear dependence on the K-line emission. As this is in conflict with the analysis of Johannesson et al.(1995, 1998) we proceed by comparing the disk integrated Lyman alpha flux as a function of ratio between the disk integrated Mg II core and wing fluxes (Johannesson et al (1998) having previously found a linear dependence between this index and the BBSO K-line index). We find that a reasonably good fit can be obtained, however note the discrepancies which lead Johannesson et al to consider the square root relationship. We suggest an alternative interpretation of the discrepancy.

Zirin, Harold↗
NASA NTRS1976

The solar XUV spectrum of He II

OSO-7 observations of the first five Lyman lines and the Lyman continuum of He II are given for the quiet sun, a coronal hole, prominences, filaments, and the flare of August 7, 1972. These data are calibrated and given in specific intensity units together with color and brightness temperatures for the He II continuum. It is found that He II is overionized in all features except the flare and that the continuum is formed at temperatures near 14,000 K. The He II-He III ionization equilibrium appears to be dominated by photoionizations and radiative recombinations. Schematic calculations for realistic chromosphere and transition-region models can account for the observed intensities of Ly-beta through Ly-epsilon, the Lyman continuum, and its color temperature. To account for the intensity of Ly-alpha, either an implausible 100-km plateau at temperatures near 80,000 K is needed or, more likely, the diffusion-enhanced collisional excitation should be incorporated into the models.

Linsky, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Calculation of H2-He Flow with Nonequilibrium Ionization and Radiation: an Interim Report

The nonequilibrium ionization process in hydrogen-helium mixture behind a strong shock wave is studied numerically using the detailed ionization rate model developed recently by Park which accounts for emission and absorption of Lyman lines. The study finds that, once the avalanche ionization is started, the Lyman line is self-absorbed. The intensity variation of the radiation at 5145 Angstroms found by Leibowitz in a shock tube experiment can be numerically reproduced by assuming that ionization behind the shock wave prior to the onset of avalanche ionization is 1.3%. Because 1.3% initial ionization is highly unlikely, Leibowitz s experimental data is deemed questionable. By varying the initial electron density value in the calculation, the calculated ionization equilibration time is shown to increase approximately as inverse square-root of the initial electron density value. The true ionization equilibration time is most likely much longer than the value found by Leibowitz.

Furudate, Michiko↗
NASA NTRS1997

Kinetic-Energy Distribution of D(2p) Atoms from Analysis of the D Lyman-Alpha Line Profile

The kinetic-energy distribution of D(2p) atoms resulting from electron-impact dissociation of D2 has been measured. A high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet spectrometer was employed for the first measurement of the D Lyman-alpha (D L(alpha)) emission line profiles at 20- and 100-eV excitation energies. Analysis of the deconvoluted line profile of D L(alpha) at 100 eV reveals the existence of a narrow line central peak of 29+/-2 mA full width at half maximum and a broad pedestal wing structure about 190 mA wide. The wings of the line can be used to determine the fast atom distribution. The wings of D L(alpha) arise from dissociative excitation of a series of doubly excited states that cross the Franck-Condon region between 23 and 40 eV. The fast atom distribution at 100-eV electron impact energy spans the energy range from 1 to 10 eV with a peak value near 6 eV. Slow D(2p) atoms characterized by a distribution function with peak energy near 100 meV produce the central peak profile, which is nearly independent of the impact energy. The deconvoluted line profiles of the central peak at 20 eV for dissociative excitation of D2 and H2 are fitted with an analytical function for use in calibration of space flight instrumentation equipped with a D/H absorption cell. The kinetic-energy and line profile results are compared to similar measurements for H2. The absolute cross sections for the line center (slow atoms) and wings (fast atoms) and total emission line profile were measured from threshold to 400 eV. Analytical model coefficients are given for the energy dependence of the measured slow atom cross section.

Ciocca, M.↗