New calculations of Fe L-shell X-ray spectra in high-temperature plasmas

Abstract

The predictions of the standard plasma emission codes are inconsistent with spectroscopic data acquired during the ASCA performance verification phase. The discrepancies are evident in the 0.7-1.5 keV spectral range, the domain of n approaches 2 (L-shell) transitions in highly ionized Fe species. We have recalculated Fe L-shell spectra using the HULLAC atomic physics package and find that an update of the Fe data used in the current generation of emission line codes is warranted. We present here a synopsis of our results for the charge states Fe XXIII and Fe XXIV. These results are relevant to the interpretation of spectroscopic data from stellar coronae, supernova remnants, and galaxy clusters.