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J-Resolved He I Emission Predictions In The Low-Density Limit, R. P. Bauman, R. L. Porter, Gary J. Ferland, K. B. Macadam
J-Resolved He I Emission Predictions In The Low-Density Limit, R. P. Bauman, R. L. Porter, Gary J. Ferland, K. B. Macadam
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
Determinations of the primordial helium abundance are used in precision cosmological tests. These require highly accurate He I recombination rate coefficients. Here we reconsider the formation of He I recombination lines in the low-density limit. This is the simplest case, and it forms the basis for the more complex situation in which collisions are important. The formation of a recombination line is a two-step process, beginning with the capture of a continuum electron into a bound state and followed by radiative cascade to ground. The rate coefficient for capture from the continuum is obtained from photoionization cross sections and detailed …
Theoretical He I Emissivities In The Case B Approximation, R. L. Porter, R. P. Bauman, Gary J. Ferland, K. B. Macadam
Theoretical He I Emissivities In The Case B Approximation, R. L. Porter, R. P. Bauman, Gary J. Ferland, K. B. Macadam
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
We calculate the He I case B recombination cascade spectrum using improved radiative and collisional data. We present new emissivities over a range of electron temperatures and densities. The differences between our results and the current standard are large enough to have a significant effect not only on the interpretation of observed spectra of a wide variety of objects, but also on determinations of the primordial helium abundance.