Progress in Stellar Spectral Line Formation Theory

Abstract

I. Frequency redistribution problems in line formationtheory.- Observed and computed stellar line profiles: the roles played by partial redistribution, geometrical extent and expansion.- General aspects of partial redistribution and its astrophysical importance.- Kinetic aspects of redistribution in spectral lines.- Non local effects on the redistribution of resonant scattered photons.- Asymptotic properties of complete and partial frequency redistribution.- Some comments upon the line emission profile ??.- A modified Rybicki method with partial redistribution.- Redistribution functions: a review of computational methods.- The effect of abundance values on partial redistribution line computations.- Partial redistribution interlocking in the solar chromosphere.- Pannel discussion on partial redistribution.- II. Methods in line radiative transfer.- Numerical methods in radiative transfer.- Partial versus complete linearization.- Radiative transfer diagnostics: understanding multi-level transfer calculations.- A new method for solving multi-level non-LTE problems.- Escape probability methods.- Numerically stable discrete ordinate solutions of the radiative transfer equation.- NLTE spectral line formation in a three-dimensional atmosphere with velocity fields.- A code for line blanketing without local thermodynamic equilibrium.- Pannel discussion on radiative transfer methods.- III. Observational and theoretical aspects of spectral line formation in astrophysical and laborator environments.- a) Laboratory environment.- Line formation in laboratory plasmas.- b) Stellar environment.- Observational problems in spectral line formation.- Current problems of line formation in early-type stars.- Stellar surface inhomogeneities and the interpretation of stellar spectra.- The theory of line transfer in expanding atmospheres.- Computed HeII spectra for Wolf-Rayet stars.- Partial redistribution in the wind of red giants.- Modeling lines formed in the expanding chromospheres of red giants.- Transfer of Lyman-? radiation in solar coronal loops.- Pressure broadening and solar limb effect.- Hydrogen line formation in dense plasmas in the presence of a magnetic field.- c) Non-stellar environment.- A review of line formation in molecular clouds.- List of computer codes available at present.- Index of Subjects.