pythonradex: a fast Python re-implementation of RADEX with extended functionality

TL;DR

pythonradex is a Python re-implementation of the RADEX radiative transfer code, offering improved performance, extended features like continuum effects and overlapping lines, and self-consistent flux calculations for various geometries.

Contribution

It introduces pythonradex, a Python-based tool that enhances RADEX with new functionalities and better usability for astronomical gas parameter estimation.

Findings

Faster performance compared to original RADEX

Includes continuum effects and line overlaps

Supports self-consistent flux calculations for multiple geometries

Abstract

A common task in astronomical research is to estimate the physical parameters (temperature, mass, density etc.) of a gas by using observed line emission. This often requires a calculation of how the radiation propagates via emission and absorption (so-called radiative transfer). In radio and infrared astronomy, the Fortran code RADEX (van der Tak et al., 2007) is a popular tool to solve the non-LTE radiative transfer of a uniform medium in a simplified geometry. I present pythonradex, a Python re-implementation of RADEX. Written in Python, it provides an easy and intuitive user interface, improved performance as well as additional functionality not included in RADEX, such as continuum effects and overlapping lines. In addition, pythonradex provides a self-consistent computation of the total flux for all geometries, including spherical geometries.