The importance of improved collision cross sections in deriving interstellar cloud parameters from rotational line spectra

Beckman, J. E.
Bibliographical reference

In ESA Galactic and Extragalactic Infrared Spectroscopy p 37-40 (SEE N83-18593 08-88)

Advertised on:
10
1982
Number of authors
1
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
It is shown how present uncertainties in the ability to compute collisional cross sections for rotational transitions can lead to order of magnitude errors in the interpretation of the observed antenna temperatures for rotational emission lines from interstellar clouds. The framework within which improved cross sections can be derived is described, and progress is reported in the aim of reducing the theoretical uncertainty by a factor of five.