Astrophysical plasma spectroscopy
Lecturer: L. C. Popovic

The aim of this course, in brief, is to provide a broad introduction to astrophysical plasma spectroscopy. Topics will include the different physical condition in plasma and their influence on spectra, continuum and line emission spectra, diagnostic of physical properties of emitting plasma using spectral lines and continuum, plasma emission around massive black hole and possible anomaly in spectra caused by reddening, absorption and gravitational microlensing.

1. Introduction to Astrophysical plasma Spectroscopy (Historical background, types of spectroscopy and radiation from astrophysical objects)

2. Atoms, ions and molecules under different physical condition (Different physical condition in different objects, high and low temperature gas, definition of plasma)

3. Atomic energy levels and transitions (Atomic structure, L-S coupling, term formation, notation, transition probabilities, absorption and emission coefficients, ionization and recombination)

4. Line emission/absorption processes (Resonance lines, pure recombination lines, intercombination and forbidden lines. Mechanisms of line broadening: Doppler, rotation, interaction emitters with particles. Line parameters)

5. Continuum emission processes (from X-ray to the radio emission - physical conditions. Bremsstrahlung and Compton Scattering, free-bound and free-free emission and synchrotron emission)

6. Spectral lines in astrophysics (from nebulae to Active Galactic Nuclei) (emission lines in nebulae, absorption and emission in Active Galactic Nuclei, narrow and broad lines, HILs and LILs)

7. Spectroscopic diagnostic of astrophysical plasma - part I (the case of PLTE - diagnostic plasma using lines and continuum)

8. Spectroscopic diagnostic of astrophysical plasma - part II (the case of non-PLTE (coronal plasma) - diagnostic of plasma using lines)

9. Astrophysical plasma around massive black hole (Accretion disk structure - emission, influence of different geometries (Schwarzschild and Kerr) on emitted spectra, Fe K alpha line)

10. The anomaly in spectra of extragalactic objects (Reddening, absorption and gravitational microlensing, dark matter mapping)