Optical Line Emission from Photodissociation Regions
Abstract
We present a parameter study for the optical, low-ionization [O I] λ6300, λ6363, and λ5577 and the [S II] λ6731 and λ6716 lines emitted by photodissociation regions (PDRs). We assume in these models that the PDR has a plane-parallel, semi-infinite geometry and is illuminated from one side. The PDR models are characterized by the total hydrogen density 104 cm-3<=n<=107 cm-3 and the strength of the FUV field G0 in terms of the Habing field 103<G0<107. Oxygen and singly ionized sulfur are excited thermally in the outer hot PDR layers due to collisions with electrons and atomic hydrogen. [O I] photons are also produced in the photodissociation of OH. We apply the results of the parameter study to the protoplanetary disks in Orion, layers between H II regions and molecular clouds, low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions, T Tauri stars, and planetary nebulae. We discuss the extent to which PDRs dominate or contribute to the observed [O I] and [S II] emission in these different objects.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1086/309251
- Bibcode:
- 2000ApJ...539..751S
- Keywords:
-
- Stars: Circumstellar Matter;
- Galaxies: ISM;
- ISM: Clouds;
- ISM: individual (Orion Nebula);
- Line: Formation;
- Stars: Formation