Source Function in a Non-Fquilibrium Atmosphere. VII. The Interlocking Problem.
Abstract
A general solution to the equations of statistical equilibrium is presented and applied to the problem of determining the influence of interlocking on the depth variation of line source functions. Approximate uncoupled transfer equations are derived for a simple three-level atom, and their quality is tested against exact solutions. A discussion is given-exemplified by hydrogen-of the influence of coupling for models consisting of larger numbers of levels. The general form of the depth variation in the H and K lines of Ca ii is shown to be little different from that derived in earlier papers of this series where interlocking was neglected. It is shown, however, that the strong coupling results in a common a given depth-of the H and K line source functions.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1960
- DOI:
- 10.1086/146981
- Bibcode:
- 1960ApJ...132..775J