Scientists from the Faculty of Chemistry at Lomonosov Moscow State University have successfully reproduced conditions similar to the atmosphere of hot stars in the laboratory. To achieve this, they used laser plasma – a tool that allows modeling extreme temperatures and physical processes of space right here on Earth.
The experiment yielded not just visual similarity, but concrete scientific results. Researchers were able to refine parameters necessary for accurately determining the composition of stars, specifically the characteristics of ionized titanium lines. This data plays a crucial role in astrophysics, as it helps to understand what hot stars are made of and what processes occur in their atmospheres.
To achieve the desired conditions, scientists varied the target material and the ambient pressure. As a result, they managed to obtain what is known as optically thin plasma – a medium in which spectral characteristics can be measured with high precision.
For most titanium lines, parameters such as Stark broadening and shift were obtained for the first time. These indicators are essential for accurate calculations of element content in stellar atmospheres and for refining astrophysical models.
Laser plasma provides a unique opportunity to reproduce a wide range of parameters and study both neutral and multiply ionized atoms in a single experiment.
The results of the study were published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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