UK APAP Network
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Plasmas permeate our Universe, being present in stellar atmospheres, interstellar gas
clouds in galaxies, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, black hole accretion disks, and so on.
Spectroscopy of all these objects has shown a richness of information, in particular in the spectral
lines that are emitted by the ions that are present in the plasmas.
In recent years, an overwhelming amount of XUV spectroscopic data have been obtained from the satellite missions
such as SOHO, Hinode, STEREO, SDO (solar) and Chandra, XMM-Newton, HST, FUSE (non-solar).
The state of matter in each object --- the distribution of temperature and density, chemical composition,
flow velocities --- can be determined through diagnostic analysis of spectral data in which models,
incorporating the full physics of the object, confront the observations.
This information is fundamental for our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe.
Collisions of electrons and photons with atoms, ions and molecules play a fundamental role in
characterizing astrophysical plasmas, and it is therefore necessary that accurate atomic data are calculated.
It might be surprising, but a large fraction of the spectra produced by ions is still unexplored.
Large discrepancies between observations and theory are also still present.
In recent years, we have shown the need to perform accurate calculations of electron-ion
collisions for individual ions, in order to solve the large, long-standing discrepancies between observed
and calculated line intensities in collisional (astrophysical and laboratory) plasmas.
We propose a series of calculations which will enable us to interpret spectral data from these satellites
which will further our understanding of the solar corona, stellar atmospheres, supernova remnants, nebulae and stars.
With this proposal, we aim to strengthen the collaboration between experimental, observational and
theoretical research. Our work will also impact upon the magnetic fusion program and its quest for a
safe, reliable and environmentally friendly energy source.
clouds in galaxies, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, black hole accretion disks, and so on.
Spectroscopy of all these objects has shown a richness of information, in particular in the spectral
lines that are emitted by the ions that are present in the plasmas.
In recent years, an overwhelming amount of XUV spectroscopic data have been obtained from the satellite missions
such as SOHO, Hinode, STEREO, SDO (solar) and Chandra, XMM-Newton, HST, FUSE (non-solar).
The state of matter in each object --- the distribution of temperature and density, chemical composition,
flow velocities --- can be determined through diagnostic analysis of spectral data in which models,
incorporating the full physics of the object, confront the observations.
This information is fundamental for our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe.
Collisions of electrons and photons with atoms, ions and molecules play a fundamental role in
characterizing astrophysical plasmas, and it is therefore necessary that accurate atomic data are calculated.
It might be surprising, but a large fraction of the spectra produced by ions is still unexplored.
Large discrepancies between observations and theory are also still present.
In recent years, we have shown the need to perform accurate calculations of electron-ion
collisions for individual ions, in order to solve the large, long-standing discrepancies between observed
and calculated line intensities in collisional (astrophysical and laboratory) plasmas.
We propose a series of calculations which will enable us to interpret spectral data from these satellites
which will further our understanding of the solar corona, stellar atmospheres, supernova remnants, nebulae and stars.
With this proposal, we aim to strengthen the collaboration between experimental, observational and
theoretical research. Our work will also impact upon the magnetic fusion program and its quest for a
safe, reliable and environmentally friendly energy source.
Planned Impact
The International effort to develop magnetic fusion as a safe, reliable and environmentally
friendly source of energy will be a key beneficiary of this work. Magnetic fusion laboratories
around the world (including JET/Culham in the UK) and especially the flagship ITER program at
Cadarache in France, make use of spectroscopic diagnostics to maximize their control of the plasma.
The atomic data that we produce will be incorporated into the main fusion modelling package (ADAS) used by
these laboratories. ADAS was and is developed and maintained by researchers at the University of
Strathclyde.
friendly source of energy will be a key beneficiary of this work. Magnetic fusion laboratories
around the world (including JET/Culham in the UK) and especially the flagship ITER program at
Cadarache in France, make use of spectroscopic diagnostics to maximize their control of the plasma.
The atomic data that we produce will be incorporated into the main fusion modelling package (ADAS) used by
these laboratories. ADAS was and is developed and maintained by researchers at the University of
Strathclyde.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Orsay (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Physical Research Laboratory (Collaboration)
- United States Naval Research Laboratory (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
- Astronomical Institute Czech Republic (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nigel Badnell (Principal Investigator) | |
| Peter Storey (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Lestinsky M
(2012)
ELECTRON-ION RECOMBINATION OF Mg 6 + FORMING Mg 5 + AND OF Mg 7 + FORMING Mg 6 + : LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS AND THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Liang G
(2012)
R -matrix electron-impact excitation data for the B-like iso-electronic sequence
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Madsen Chad A.
(2019)
Coronal Plasma Characterization via Coordinated Infrared and Extreme Ultraviolet Observations of a Total Solar Eclipse
in arXiv e-prints
Mao J
(2017)
The electron energy loss rate due to radiative recombination
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
McNabb I
(2013)
Plasma diagnostics for planetary nebulae and H ii regions using the N ii and O ii optical recombination lines
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mulay S
(2016)
Multiwavelength study of 20 jets that emanate from the periphery of active regions
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mulay S
(2017)
Temperature and density structure of a recurring active region jet
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mulay S
(2017)
Cool and hot emission in a recurring active region jet
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nikolic D
(2013)
SUPPRESSION OF DIELECTRONIC RECOMBINATION DUE TO FINITE DENSITY EFFECTS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nikolic D
(2018)
Suppression of Dielectronic Recombination Due to Finite Density Effects. II. Analytical Refinement and Application to Density-dependent Ionization Balances and AGN Broad-line Emission
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Novotný O
(2012)
ELECTRON-ION RECOMBINATION OF Fe XII FORMING Fe XI: LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS AND THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Polito V
(2016)
Density diagnostics derived from the O iv and S iv intercombination lines observed by IRIS
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Porter R
(2012)
Improved He i emissivities in the case B approximation Improved He i emissivities
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Preval S
(2017)
Hot DA white dwarf model atmosphere calculations: including improved Ni PI cross-sections
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sochi T
(2013)
Dielectronic recombination lines of C+
in Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables
Storey P
(2014)
The continuum emission spectrum of Hf 2-2 near the Balmer limit and the ORL versus CEL abundance and temperature discrepancy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2015)
Emission and recombination coefficients for hydrogen with ?-distributed electron energies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2015)
Collision strengths and transition probabilities for Co ii infrared forbidden lines
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2016)
Collision strengths and transition probabilities for Co iii forbidden lines
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2014)
Collision strengths for nebular [O iii] optical and infrared lines
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2013)
Electron temperatures and free-electron energy distributions of nebulae from C ii dielectronic recombination lines
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2015)
Effective collision strengths for excitation and de-excitation of nebular [O iii] optical and infrared lines with ? distributed electron energies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Storey P
(2017)
Recombination coefficients for O ii lines in nebular conditions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wang K
(2018)
Benchmarking Atomic Data from Large-scale Multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock Calculations for Astrophysics: S-like Ions from Cr ix to Cu xiv
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Wang K
(2018)
Energy Levels, Lifetimes, and Transition Rates for P-like Ions from Cr x to Zn xvi from Large-scale Relativistic Multiconfiguration Calculations
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Wang S
(2018)
Electron-ion Recombination Rate Coefficients of Be-like 40 Ca 16+
in The Astrophysical Journal
Winebarger Amy
(2018)
Unfolding overlapped slitless imaging spectrometer data for extended sources
in arXiv e-prints
Yu X
(2018)
Incorporating Uncertainties in Atomic Data into the Analysis of Solar and Stellar Observations: A Case Study in Fe xiii
in The Astrophysical Journal
| Description | Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Grants |
| Amount | $500,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | National Science Foundation (NSF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 01/2015 |
| End | 12/2017 |
| Description | Consolidated grant |
| Amount | £458,051 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/R000743/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | Consolidated grant |
| Amount | £248,560 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/P000665/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Title | CHIANTI - Atomic Database |
| Description | CHIANTI is an atomic database developed by the Atomic Astrophysics research group at DAMTP, funded by STFC. It is now universally used by the solar physics community for the analysis of solar spectra, and is also widely used in the astrophysical community. Giulio Del Zanna is a key member of the CHIANTI team, and has led several CHIANTI papers and releases. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | CHIANTI has facilitated the analysis of solar spectra leading to over 3350 citations. |
| URL | http://www.chiantidatabase.org/ |
| Title | APAP |
| Description | Atomic Data for Astrophysics |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Improved diagnostic modelling of astrophysical and magnetic fusion plasmas. |
| URL | http://www.apap-network.org/ |
| Title | CHIANTI database v.8 |
| Description | The culmination of nearly 6 years of work was the v.8 CHIANTI database, where the models for the solar spectral lines important for irradiance were updated. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The database is used world-wide, has about 3000 direct citations, and about 300 indirect ones /year. |
| URL | http://chiantidatabase.org |
| Description | APAP-Network Ref: PP/E001254/1 |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have done atomic physics calculations, have benchmarked them against experimental data, and used them for the analysis of spectra from stellar coronae. I have also distributed the atomic data within CHIANTI and VAMDC (an EU FP7 network). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. N.R.Badnell (PI of the grant,University of Strathclyde) has developed and mantained the codes used for atomic physics calculations, and I have collaborated with him on various projects. |
| Impact | In the Jan 2006 - Dec 2010 timeframe the APAP team published 101 refereed papers. They are all highest-quality papers, describing atomic data which are used world-wide by almost all atomic databases and modelling codes, and are directly or indirectly cited by hundreds of refereed papers per year. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Associated scientist with CfA on various missions/proposals |
| Organisation | Harvard University |
| Department | Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contribute to various proposals for space missions (COSIE, MAGIXS), to the analysis of current missions (IRIS). Also contributed to AIRSPEC, an new infrared spectrometer, and DKIST, a ground-based solar telescope. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide access to data and resources. |
| Impact | Various research papers. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Co-I of Hinode EIS team |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Over the years we have contributed to the Hinode EIS team in proposing observations, providing atomic data, instrument calibration, and helping young researchers into the use of the instrument. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration. MSSL is the leading institute that has provided most of the hardware. |
| Impact | A large number of papers and conferences. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Co-I of Solar Orbiter instruments |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Department | RAL Space |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I am co-I of the Solar Orbiter SPICE and EUI. I am . associated scientist of the SOlar Orbiter METIS instrument. I am contributing in refining the best science, calibration and operating modes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Building instruments, calibration, on-board software |
| Impact | Most of the outcomes will come in the future. A few papers are in progress. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Co-I of Solar Orbiter instruments |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I am co-I of the Solar Orbiter SPICE and EUI. I am . associated scientist of the SOlar Orbiter METIS instrument. I am contributing in refining the best science, calibration and operating modes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Building instruments, calibration, on-board software |
| Impact | Most of the outcomes will come in the future. A few papers are in progress. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Collaboration with Dr. Dudik on Non-Maxwellians |
| Organisation | Astronomical Institute Czech Republic |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have an ongoing collaboration with Dr J. Dudik (Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences), a former RS Newton International Fellow at DAMTP (2013--2015), on developing modelling to search for spectroscopic signatures of non-Maxwellian electrons in the solar corona. We have provided the atomic data, mostly from the results of the APAP grants, and knowledge of spectral observations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Dudik has contributed in coordinating new observations and writing scientific papers. |
| Impact | Several scientific papers have been published, and others are forthcoming. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Collaboration with PRL, India |
| Organisation | Physical Research Laboratory |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The contributions will be on the analysis and atomic data for the upcoming Indian space X-ray spectrometer, to be launched in 2018. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide access to the observations. |
| Impact | not yet. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | ISSI team meeting (2015-2018) on uncertainties in atomic data |
| Organisation | United States Naval Research Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This is an international collaboration among different institutes. Del Zanna contributed atomic data and diagnostics, and developed a model to calculate uncertainties for Fe XIII. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other partners contributed on data analysis and statistical analysis. |
| Impact | A scientific paper is submitted and one is in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | ISSI team meeting (2018-2019) on solar abundances - Solar Orbiter |
| Organisation | University of Orsay |
| Department | Space Astrophysics Institute |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is an international collaboration with several researchers/institutes, to study how to link in-situ with remote-sensing observations with Solar Orbiter. I contributed in terms of atomic data, diagnostics, and a specific project on active regions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each partner will contribute on the basis of their expertise. |
| Impact | The collaboration only started. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | ISSI team meeting on non-equilibrium plasma |
| Organisation | Astronomical Institute Czech Republic |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is an international collaboration among experts on diagnostics of non-equilibrium plasma. Del Zanna and Mason contributed in terms of atomic data and diagnostics, and wrote part of a long review. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Each partner contributed to the review. |
| Impact | Dudik et al., Sol. Phys., 2017. DOI: 10.1007/s11207-017-1125-0 |
| Start Year | 2012 |