Atomic Data Setup

All atomic elements used in a SPECT3D simulation are components of DCA materials set up in the Materials setup widget. A list of elements is displayed at the top of the Atomic Data setup widget.

The parameters of individual atomic elements are shown in the lower portion of the setup widget. To display and edit parameters for a particular element, click on the element in the box at the top.

The element name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic weight are shown for informational purposes only.

Each element must be associated with an atomic model file. An atomic model is used to specify which atomic levels contained in the ATBASE Atomic Database are to be included in the calculation, and the type of energy level bundling to be used. For more information on atomic models and energy level bundling, see Atomic Models: A Primer.

To specify the atomic model, users can select either preconfigured atomic models that are distributed with the SPECT3D software package, or they can use their own customized atomic model. To use a preconfigured model, select the Preconfigured button and select a model. To use a customized atomic model, select the Custom button and browse for the atomic model file.

For more information on atomic models, see Preconfigured Atomic Models.

Atomic models can be viewed, created, and edited using the AtomicModelBuilder application. This application is launched directly from the Atomic Data setup widget by pressing the View button for a Preconfigured atomic model, or the Edit button for a Custom atomic model. After launching the AtomicModelBuilder application, its documentation can be viewed by selecting the Help | Manual menu item from its main window.

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