Comment on "Atomic data for Ne-like ions useful in plasma diagnostic" by Singh et al. [Can. J. Phys. 96 (2018) 36]

TL;DR

This paper critiques a recent study on atomic data for Ne-like ions, highlighting discrepancies in energy levels and reproducibility issues with the computational results from different codes.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of the accuracy and reproducibility of atomic data calculations for Ne-like ions, pointing out inconsistencies and potential errors in previous work.

Findings

Discrepancies up to 2 Ryd in energy levels between two computational methods.

Reproducibility issues with FAC code results.

Approximate energy level accuracy of 0.5 Ryd claimed by original authors.

Abstract

In a recent paper, Singh et al. [Can. J. Phys. {\bf 96} (2018) 36] have reported results for energy levels, radiative rates, and lifetimes among 209 levels of four Ne-like ions, namely Hf~LXIII, Ta~LXIV, W~LXV, and Re~LXVI. For their calculations, they have adopted the GRASP and FAC codes, and have assessed their energy levels to be accurate to $\sim$0.5~Ryd, based on comparisons between the two sets of energies. However, some of the levels between the two calculations differ by up to $\sim$2~Ryd, and for three ions. In addition, we also note that some of their results with FAC cannot be reproduced, and hence the large discrepancies.