Laboratory measurements of oscillator strengths and their astrophysical applications1This review is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.

Abstract

We present an overview of current needs for accurate laboratory atomic transition probabilities (log(gf)) for astrophysical applications, particularly for iron group element spectra in the IR, optical, UV, and VUV spectral regions. Examples are given of our recent measurements, undertaken using the combination of high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometry and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence. Laboratory measured log(gf) values are particularly important for the determination of elemental abundances in astrophysical objects. Advances in astronomical instrumentation, particularly access to underexplored regions (IR, vacuum UV,VUV), require improved accuracy and completeness of the atomic database for meaningful analyses of astrophysical spectra.