Stark broadening of Sn III spectral lines of astrophysical interest: Predictions and regularities

Abstract

The determination of the Stark broadening parameters of Sn ions is useful for astrophysicists interested in the determination of the density of electrons in stellar atmospheres. In this paper, we report on the calculated values of the Stark broadening parameters for 171 lines of Sniii arising from 4d105sns (n= 6-9), 4d105snp (n= 5, 6), 4d105p2, 4d105snd (n= 5-7), 4d105s4f and 4d105s5g. Stark linewidths and line shifts are presented for an electron density of 1023 m-3 and temperatures T= 11000-75000 K. These have been calculated using a semi-empirical approach, with a set of wavefunctions obtained from Hartree-Fock relativistic calculations, including core polarization effects. The results obtained have been compared with available experimental data. These can be used to consider the influence of Stark broadening effects in A-type stellar atmospheres. © 2011 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 RAS.