Hydrogen line and continuum emission in Quasars

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183083· OSTI ID:5543423

Kwan, J; Krolik, J H

Whe have calculated combined photoionization and hydrogen excited-state population equilibrium models for QSO emission-line clouds. Ionization from excited states increases the ionized column density to several times more than that calculated on the basis of ground-state ionization alone. In the region where L..cap alpha.. is thermalized (tau/sub Lalpha/>5 x 10/sup 6/, for N/sub e/approx.2 x 10/sup 9/ cm/sup -3/) Balmer lines provide the main cooling. Integrated over the cloud, the ratios L..cap alpha../H..cap alpha.. and H..cap alpha../H..beta.. are 2 and 4.7, respectively. The Balmer continuum emission is also substantially increased by the inclusion of excited-state ionization.

• Research Organization: Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey
• OSTI ID: 5543423
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 233:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BALMER LINES
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
EMISSIVITY
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL DENSITY
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION
LYMAN LINES
NONMETALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUASARS
SURFACE PROPERTIES