New method for fast and easy computation of radiative accelerations in stars

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 352; no. 4; pp. 1329 - 1334
• Main Authors: LeBlanc, F., Alecian, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 21-08-2004; Blackwell Science; Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy P - Oxford Open Option A
• Subjects: Astrophysics; diffusion; Physics; stars: abundances; stars: chemically peculiar; stars: abundances; diffusion; stars: chemically peculiar; Radiative acceleration; Bound-free transitions; Stellar abundance; Trace elements; Optical thickness; Opacity; Diffusion; Chemically peculiar star
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08024.x

Accurate determination of radiative accelerations of the elements is critical when studying atomic diffusion in stars. However, the computing time necessary to calculate these accelerations can become prohibitive because large atomic and opacity data bases are required. Parametric equations of radiative accelerations due to both bound–bound and bound–free transitions, valid at large optical depths, are presented for the following trace elements: C, N, O, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, Ca and Fe. These equations can easily be implemented in existing astrophysical applications without requiring large computing resources.