Model calculations and experiments on photoionized plasmas in relevant to laboratory astrophysics

Analyses of the steady-state rate equations for photoionized Ar and C are p resented and the conditions necessary for such plasma formation in laborato ry are discussed. The results of calculations are shown for two plasmas wit h widely varying density but having the same ionization parameter. Further, we discuss an experiment to study low density carbon exposed to a laser-pl asma generated X-ray source where time-resolved X-ray spectra were observed . These are the first steps necessary to model astrophysical phenomena rele vant to photoionized plasma. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.