A probabilistic approach to radiative energy loss calculations for optically thick atmospheres - Hydrogen lines and continua

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (25) References (15) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A probabilistic approach to radiative energy loss calculations for optically thick atmospheres - Hydrogen lines and continua Canfield, R. C. ; Ricchiazzi, P. J. Abstract An approximate probabilistic radiative transfer equation and the statistical equilibrium equations are simultaneously solved for a model hydrogen atom consisting of three bound levels and ionization continuum. The transfer equation for L-alpha, L-beta, H-alpha, and the Lyman continuum is explicitly solved assuming complete redistribution. The accuracy of this approach is tested by comparing source functions and radiative loss rates to values obtained with a method that solves the exact transfer equation. Two recent model solar-flare chromospheres are used for this test. It is shown that for the test atmospheres the probabilistic method gives values of the radiative loss rate that are characteristically good to a factor of 2. The advantage of this probabilistic approach is that it retains a description of the dominant physical processes of radiative transfer in the complete redistribution case, yet it achieves a major reduction in computational requirements. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: August 1980 DOI: 10.1086/158193 Bibcode: 1980ApJ...239.1036C Keywords: Chromosphere; H Lines; Optical Thickness; Radiative Transfer; Stellar Atmospheres; Approximation; Atmospheric Models; Energy Dissipation; Probability Theory; Solar Flares; Astrophysics full text sources ADS |