The Sobolev approximation for radiation transport with line overlap and continuous opacity

TL;DR

This paper enhances the Sobolev approximation for radiation transport by incorporating line overlap and continuous opacity effects, providing tabulated photon loss probabilities for different line profiles, useful for astrophysical modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a method to include continuum absorption and line overlap into the Sobolev approximation, with tabulated photon loss probabilities for practical applications.

Findings

Photon loss probabilities are computed for Gaussian and rectangular line profiles.

Results show close agreement between different profile widths under certain conditions.

The data can be applied to model energy levels of molecules like OH in interstellar gas flows.

Abstract

The radiation transport problem in the plane-parallel medium with the large velocity gradient is considered. The Sobolev approximation is used. The effects of continuum absorption and line overlap are taken into account. The photon loss probability functions are calculated and tabulated. Two calculations are performed - for the Gaussian spectral line profile and for the rectangular profile. It is shown that at particular choice of the rectangular profile width the results of the calculations are very close. The evaluated photon loss probability functions may be used in the calculations of energy level populations of OH molecule in the interstellar gas flows.