Two-photon ionization in solar opacity experiments

The discrepancies between theoretical and experimental opacities reported by experiments performed at the Sandia National Laboratory Z-pinch relevant to the solar interior remain unexplained. The suggestion that two photon ionization could help resolve the discrepancies was recently examined and found not to account for the higher than predicted measured opacities. That test, however, was limited in scope and is now extended to include excited configurations and different charge states of several elements. Comparisons of one-and two photon ionization cross-sections show that the latter fail to resolve the aforementioned discrepancies.

Automated summary

The discrepancies between theoretical and experimental opacities in the solar interior, as reported by experiments at the Sandia National Laboratory Z-pinch, remain unexplained. Recent examination of two photon ionization as a potential resolution for the discrepancies was found to be insufficient. Further exploration including excited configurations and different charge states did not resolve the discrepancies.