Ionization state distribution and radiative cooling rate for argon in a low-density plasma

This paper presents the coronal ionization state distribution for argon. Th e calculations include ab initio rate coefficients for collisional excitati on followed by autoionization (EA), and rates for direct ionization and die lectronic and radiative recombination. The EA rate coefficients have been f itted to analytical expressions, and the fitting coefficients are tabulated . The paper then presents the calculated radiative cooling coefficient for argon ions in a low-density plasma as a function of temperature. The channe ls for power loss from argon ions include collisional-radiative (CR) line e mission, dielectronic and radiative recombination, and bremsstrahlung emiss ion. The power emitted via CR line emission for each ion is tabulated on a grid of temperatures and densities. The total power loss coefficient is fit ted to an analytical expression in powers of the temperature. (C) 1998 Acad emic Press.