0000000000041094
AUTHOR
Nancy Brickhouse
Microcalorimeter/EBIT measurements of X-ray spectra of highly charged ions
Spectra of highly charged Ar, Kr, Xe and Fe ions, produced in an Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT), have been recorded in a broad X-ray energy band (0.2 keV to 10 keV) with a microcalorimeter detector. The first analysis of the Kr spectra has been completed and most of the spectral lines have been identified as transitions of B- to Al-like Kr. Line intensity ratios of Fe XVII have been measured and compared with theoretical models.
Astrophysics and spectroscopy with microcalorimeters on an electron beam ion trap
The importance of the combination of electron beam ion trap (EBIT) spectroscopy with X-ray microcalorimeters in the field of astrophysics was discussed. X-ray astronomy involves heavily charged ion instruments , especially EBIT, to obtain improved quality atomic data. In this regard, the research program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which uses X-ray spectroscopic methods to study plasma and atomic physics, was also discussed.
Non-thermal processes in coronae and beyond
This contribution summarizes the splinter session “Non-thermal processes in coronae and beyond” held at the Cool Stars 17 workshop in Barcelona in 2012. It covers new developments in high energy non-thermal effects in the Earth's exosphere, solar and stellar flares, the diffuse emission in star forming regions and reviews the state and the challenges of the underlying atomic databases. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Laboratory astrophysics survey of key x-ray diagnostic lines using a microcalorimeter on an electron beam ion trap
Cosmic plasma conditions created in an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) make it possible to simulate the dependencies of key diagnostic X-ray lines on density, temperature, and excitation conditions that exist in astrophysical sources. We used a microcalorimeter for such laboratory astrophysics studies because it has a resolving power ≈1000, quantum efficiency approaching 100%, and a bandwidth that spans the X-ray energies from 0.2 keV to 10 keV. Our microcalorimeter, coupled with an X-ray optic to increase the effective solid angle, provides a significant new capability for laboratory astrophysics measurements. Broadband spectra obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology…
Analysis of broadband x-ray spectra of highly charged krypton from a microcalorimeter detector of an electron-beam ion trap
Spectra of highly charged Kr ions, produced in an electron-beam ion trap (EBIT), have been recorded in a broad x-ray energy band (0.3 keV to 4 keV) with a microcalorimeter detector. Most of the spectral lines have been identified as transitions of B- to Al-like Kr. The transition energies have been determined with 0.2% uncertainty. A semi-empirical EBIT plasma model has been created to calculate a synthetic spectrum of highly charged Kr and to determine a charge state distribution of Kr ions inside the EBIT.
Chandra study of the eclipsing M dwarf binary, YY Gem
The eclipsing M dwarf binary system, YY Gem, was observed using Chandra covering 140 ks (2Prot) in total, split into two even exposures separated by 0.76 d (0.94 Prot). The system was extremely active: three energetic flares were observed over the course of these observations. The flaring and non-flaring states of the system are analysed in this paper. The activity level increased between the first and second observations even during the quiescent (non-flaring) phases. An analysis of the dynamics of the X-ray-emitting plasma suggests that both components are significantly active. Contemporaneous Hα spectra also suggest that both components show similar levels of activity. The primary star i…
Emission-Line Intensity Ratios in F[CLC]e[/CLC] [CSC]xvii[/CSC] Observed with a Microcalorimeter on an Electron Beam Ion Trap
We report new observations of emission line intensity ratios of Fe XVII under controlled experimental conditions, using the National Institute of Standards and Technology electron beam ion trap (EBIT) with a microcalorimeter detector. We compare our observations with collisional-radiative models using atomic data computed in distorted wave and R-matrix approximations, which follow the transfer of the polarization of level populations through radiative cascades. Our results for the intensity ratio of the 2p6 1S0-2p53d 1P1 15.014 A line to the 2p6 1S0-2p53d 3D1 15.265 A line are 2.94 ± 0.18 and 2.50 ± 0.13 at beam energies of 900 and 1250 eV, respectively. These results are not consistent wit…