Modeling non local thermodynamic equilibrium plasma using the Flexible Atomic Code data

TL;DR

This paper introduces RCF, a new computational tool that uses FAC atomic data to simulate steady-state non-LTE plasmas, especially those dominated by photoionization, providing accurate plasma populations and spectra.

Contribution

The paper presents RCF, a novel code integrating FAC data for comprehensive simulation of non-LTE plasmas, including atomic processes and spectral predictions.

Findings

Successfully reproduces experimental photoionization results

Highlights atomic processes affecting charge state distribution

Demonstrates completeness and consistency of atomic data used

Abstract

We present a new code, RCF("Radiative-Collisional code based on FAC"), which is used to simulate steady-state plasmas under non local thermodynamic equilibrium condition, especially photoinization dominated plasmas. RCF takes almost all of the radiative and collisional atomic processes into rate equation to interpret the plasmas systematically. The Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) supplies all the atomic data RCF needed, which insures calculating completeness and consistency of atomic data. With four input parameters relating to the radiation source and target plasma, RCF calculates the population of levels and charge states, as well as potentially emission spectrum. In preliminary application, RCF successfully reproduces the results of a photoionization experiment with reliable atomic data. The effects of the most important atomic processes on the charge state distribution are also discussed.