Merits of atomic cascade computations

Abstract Atomic cascades refer—first and foremost—to the stepwise de-excitation of excited atoms owing to the emission of electrons or photons. Apart from dedicated experiments at storage rings and synchrotrons, such cascades frequently occur in astro and plasma physics, material research, surface science and at various places elsewhere. In addition, moreover, “atomic cascades” have been found a useful concept for modeling atomic behavior under different conditions, for instance, when dealing with the photoabsorption of matter, the generation of synthesized spectra, or for determining a rather wide class of (plasma) rate coefficients. We here compile and discuss several atomic cascades (schemes) that help predict cross sections, rate coefficients, electron and photon spectra, or ion distributions. We also demonstrate how readily these schemes have been implemented within JAC, the Jena Atomic Calculator. Emphasis is placed on the classification of atomic cascades and their (quite) natural breakdown into cascade computations , to deal with the electronic structure and transition amplitudes of atoms and ions, as well as the cascade simulation of those properties and spectra, that are experimentally accessible. As an example, we show and discuss the computation of dielectronic recombination plasma rate coefficients for beryllium-like gold ions. The concept of atomic cascades and its implementation into JAC can be applied for most ions across the periodic table and will facilitate the modeling and interpretation of many forthcoming observations. Graphical abstract