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by Dr. J. B. Tatum
tatumjb352@gmail.com



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Stellar Atmospheres (last updated: 2022 August 11)


Chapter 1.    Definitions of and Relations between Quantities used in Radiation Theory

1.1Introduction
1.2Radiant Flux or Radiant Power
1.3Variation with Frequency or Wavelength
1.4Radiant Intensity
1.5"Per Unit"
1.6Relation between Flux and Intensity
1.7Absolute Magnitude
1.8Normal Flux Density
1.9Apparent Magnitude
1.10Irradiance
1.11Exitance
1.12Radiance
1.13Lambertian Surface
1.14Relations between Flux, Intensity, Exitance, Irradiance
1.15A = πB
1.16Radiation Density
1.17Radiation Density and Irradiance
1.18Radiation Pressure


Chapter 2.    Blackbody Radiation

2.1Introduction
2.2Absorptance, and the Definition of a Black Body
2.3Radiation within a Cavity Enclosure
2.4Kirchhoff's Law
2.5An Aperture as a Black Body
2.6Planck's Equation
2.7Wien's Law
2.8Stefan's Law
2.9A Thermodynamical Argument
2.10Dimensionless Forms of Planck's Equation
2.11Derivation of Wien's and Stefan's Laws


Chapter 3.    The Exponential Integral Function

Chapter 4.    Flux, Specific Intensity and other Astrophysical Terms

4.1Introduction
4.2Luminosity
4.3Specific Intensity
4.4Flux
4.5Mean Specific Intensity
4.6Radiation Pressure
4.7Other Integrals
4.8Emission Coefficient


Chapter 5.    Absorption, Scattering, Extinction and the Equation of Transfer

5.1Introduction
5.2Absorption
5.3Scattering, Extinction and Opacity
5.4Optical Depth
5.5The Equation of Transfer
5.6The Source Function
5.7A Series of Problems
5.8Source Function in Scattering and Absorbing Atmospheres
5.9More on the Equation of Transfer


Chapter 6.    Limb Darkening

6.1Introduction. The Empirical Limb-darkening
6.2Simple Models of the Atmosphere to Explain Limb Darkening


Chapter 7.    Atomic Spectroscopy

7.1Introduction
7.2A Very Brief History of Spectroscopy
7.3The Hydrogen Spectrum
7.4The Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom
7.5One-dimensional Waves in a Stretched String
7.6Vibrations of a Uniform Sphere
7.7The Wave Nature of the Electron
7.8Schrödinger's Equation
7.9Solution of Schrödinger's Time-independent equation for the Hydrogen Atom
7.10Operators, Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
7.11Spin
7.12Electron Configurations
7.13LS-coupling
7.14States, Levels, Terms, Polyads, etc.
7.15Components, Lines, Mulitplets, etc.
7.16Return to the Hydrogen Atom
7.17How to Recognize LS-coupling
7.18Hyperfine Structure
7.19Isotope Effects
7.20Orbiting and Spinning Charges
7.21Zeeman Effect
7.22Paschen-Back Effect
7.23Zeeman Effect with Nuclear Spin
7.24Selection Rules
7.25Some Forbidden Lines Worth Knowing
7.26Stark Effect


Chapter 8.    Boltzmann's and Saha's Equations

8.1Introduction
8.2Stirling's Approximation. Lagrangian Multipliers.
8.3Some Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
8.4Boltzmann's Equation
8.5Some Comments on Partition Functions
8.6Saha's Equation
8.7The Negative Hydrogen Ion
8.8Autoionization and Dielectronic Recombination
8.9Molecular Equilibrium
8.10Thermodynamic Equilibrium


Chapter 9.    Oscillator Strengths and Related Topics

9.1Introduction. Radiance and Equivalent Width
9.2Oscillator Strength
9.3Einstein A Coefficient
9.4Einstein B Coefficient
9.5Line Strength
9.6LS-Coupling
9.7Atomic Hydrogen
9.8Zeeman Components
9.9Summary of Relations Between f, A and S.


Chapter 10.    Line Profiles

10.1Introduction
10.2Natural Broadening (Radiation Damping)
10.3Thermal Broadening
10.4Microturbulence
10.5Combination of Profiles
10.6Pressure Broadening
10.7Rotational Broadening
10.8Instrumental Broadening
10.9Other Line-broadening Mechanisms
Appendix AConvolution of Gaussian and Lorentzian Functions
Appendix BRadiation Damping as Functions of Angular Frequency, Frequency and Wavelength
Appendix COptical Thinness, Homogeneity and Thermodynamic Equilibrium


Chapter 11.    Curve of Growth

11.1Introduction
11.2A Review of Some Terms
11.3Theory of the Curve of Growth
11.4Curve of Growth for Gaussian Profiles
11.5Curve of Growth for Lorentzian Profiles
11.6Curve of Growth for Voigt Profiles
11.7Observational Curve of Growth
11.8Interpreting an Optically Thick Profile
Appendix A Evaluation of the Voigt Curve of Growth Integral





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