Dielectronic recombination data for dynamic finite-density plasmas XIV. The aluminum isoelectronic sequence

Context. A comprehensive study of dielectronic recombination (DR) for the aluminum-like isoelectronic sequence has been completed. Aims. Total and final-state resolved DR rate coefficients for the ground and metastable initial levels of 17 ions between Si II and Zn XVIII are presented. Methods. Within an isolated-resonance, distorted-wave (IPIRDW) approximation, multiconfiguration Breit-Pauli (MCBP) calculations are carried out for the total and partial DR rate coefficients of Al-like ions. Both Delta n(c) = 0 and Delta n(c) = 1 core-excitations are included, using LS-coupled and intermediate-coupling (IC) schemes. Results. The inaccuracies of earlier empirical data and/or LS-coupling calculations, particularly at lower temperatures characteristic of photoionized plasmas, is demonstrated by comparison with present, state-of-the-art IC DR rate coefficients. Fine-structure effects are found to increase the DR rate coefficient at low temperatures and decrease it at high temperatures, rendering earlier LS calculations incomplete. Good agreement is found between present IC results and experimental measurements.