Solar Opacity Calculations: Recent Theoretical Advances Prompted by Laser and Z-Pinch Experiments

Abstract

In this article, recent advances concerning the knowledge of solar opacity are presented. We first review a few laser and Z-pinch iron-opacity measurements performed in France, Germany, and the USA over the past decades. Interpretation of laser experiments on neighboring elements such as chromium, nickel, and copper are also considered. Several theoretical issued raised by these experimental spectra are then addressed and discussed, such as configuration interaction, highly-excited states, line broadening, and two-photon absorption.