Inelastic Na+H collision data for non-LTE applications in stellar atmospheres

TL;DR

This paper provides comprehensive quantum mechanically calculated inelastic collision data for sodium-hydrogen interactions, crucial for accurate non-LTE modeling in stellar atmospheres across a broad temperature range.

Contribution

It offers the first complete set of rate coefficients for all relevant Na+H transitions, including ion-pair production, based on recent quantum scattering calculations.

Findings

Data covers 500-8000 K temperature range.

Uncertainty estimates for rate coefficients are provided.

Results improve non-LTE modeling accuracy in stellar atmospheres.

Abstract

Rate coefficients for inelastic Na+H collisions are calculated for all transitions between the ten levels up to and including the ionic state (ion-pair production), namely Na(3s,3p,4s,3d,4p,5s,4d,4f,5p)+H(1s) and Na+ + H-. The calculations are based on recent full quantum scattering cross-section calculations. The data are needed for non-LTE applications in cool astrophysical environments, especially cool stellar atmospheres, and are presented for a temperature range of 500-8000 K. From consideration of the sensitivity of the cross-sections to input quantum chemical data and the results of different methods for the scattering calculations, a measure of the possible uncertainties in the rate coefficients is estimated.