CONFIGURATION BROADENING OF HIGH-Z TRANSITION ARRAY PROFILES

Experimental data are presented showing the absorption spectrum of a h eated thulium sample in the region of its 3 (d) over bar-4 (f) over ba r and 3d-4f transitions. Comparisons with simulated profiles of these lines show that in order to simulate the experiment accurately, high-Z opacity codes would have to allow for orbital relaxation and electron -electron interaction within the ion. Neglect of either effect each ca uses about a factor of two broadening of the profiles. Under the condi tions of the experiment, temperature of 45 eV and density 0.09 g.cm(-3 ), orbital relaxation has slightly the greater effect. Crown Copyright (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.