Spectral and Hydrodynamic Modeling of X-Ray Photoionization Experiments
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2008
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Swarthmore College. Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
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Thesis (B.A.)
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en_US
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Full copyright to this work is retained by the student author. It may only be used for non-commercial, research, and educational purposes. All other uses are restricted.
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Abstract
We have extensively modeled a neon photoionization experiment on the Z machine at
Sandia National Laboratories. Using a suite of modeling codes, we have reproduced
the experimental environment and simulated the physical conditions inside the neon
plasma. We have matched a synthetic spectrum to the absorption spectrum taken
during the experiment. Analyzing the spectra by measuring equivalent widths of
lines and plotting them on a curve of growth, we have determined that the ionization
balance of 1 % Ne VIII, 95% Ne IX, and 4% Ne X for the laboratory spectrum nearly
matches the simulated ionization balance of 1 % Ne VIII, 91 % Ne IX, and 8% Ne X. We
have found our simulated plasma to be slightly overionized in comparison to the neon
in the experiment, though the simulated physical conditions can still be matched to
features in the absorption spectrum. Our analysis also indicates that photoionization
is a necessary ingredient in the ionization of the neon gas cell plasma. With more
refined spectral analysis t echniques, we can provide astronomers with information
that they can use to better interpret spectra of photoionized astrophysical objects.