R-matrix electron-impact excitation data for astrophysically abundant sulphur ions

TL;DR

This paper provides detailed electron-impact excitation data for highly-charged sulphur ions using the R-matrix method, including comparisons with previous results to assess uncertainties relevant for astrophysical and fusion applications.

Contribution

It introduces new R-matrix calculations for S8+ to S11+ ions and compares target structures and collision strengths with prior work to evaluate uncertainties.

Findings

Effective collision strengths are provided across a wide temperature range.

Comparison with previous calculations highlights uncertainties in collision data.

Results support improved modeling of astrophysical and fusion plasmas.

Abstract

We present results for the electron-impact excitation of highly-charged sulphur ions (S8+ - S11+) obtained using the intermediate-coupling frame transformation R-matrix approach. A detailed comparison of the target structure has been made for the four ions to assess the uncertainty on collision strengths from the target structure. Effective collision strengths (\Upsilon s) are presented at temperatures ranging from 2\times10^2(z+1)^2 K to 2\times10^6(z+1)^2 K (where z is the residual charge of ions. Detailed comparisons for the \Upsilon are made with the results of previous calculations for these ions, which will pose insight on the uncertainty in their usage by astrophysical and fusion modelling codes.