Continuum spectrum of atomic lithium in a magnetic field of white dwarfs

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper reports on computational results of continuum spectra of atomic lithium in white-dwarf-strength magnetic fields. The adiabatic-basis-expansion method with R-matrix propagation has been used to study photoionization of magnetized alkali metal atoms. The R-matrix propagation technique and the two-dimensional matching scheme were utilized to obtain wavefunctions of the continuum states. Cross-sections of photoionization are calculated for lithium atoms in magnetic fields. Continuum spectra for its various bound-free transitions in magnetic white dwarf stars are presented as a function of field strengths ranging from 11.75 to 117.50 MG. Comparison is made between continuum spectra of diamagnetic hydrogen and lithium atoms. The comparison shows good agreement or remarkable difference for final continuum states with different symmetries in the photoionization processes concerned. A detailed analysis has been performed to understand the obtained results. The good agreement displayed manifests the reliability of the extended adiabatic-basis-expansion method. This method is suited to produce a large number of photoionization cross-section data for alkali metal atoms in a strong magnetic field, and therefore can serve as a tool to simulate continuum spectra observed in the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs with alkali metal atoms.