On the Possibility of Determining the Magnitude of the Magnetic Field of Magnetars from the Emission Spectra of Hydrogen-Like Atoms

Abstract

The widths of the spectral emission lines of a hydrogen-like atom in a superstrong magnetic field B >> (Zα)²B₀, B₀ = m_e² / e ≈ 4.41·10¹³ G, have been calculated. Specifically, the width of the α-line of the Lyman series is roughly 2 times smaller than in the absence of a magnetic field. Along with linear polarization of radiation, this makes it possible to determine the magnitude of the magnetic field of magnetars within the limits of the inequality B >> (Zα)²B₀ from an analysis of the hydrogen emission spectrum. The general expression, so obtained, for the spectral width for an n → n′ transition with emission of a photon allows one in principle to calculate the width of any line of the emission spectrum of hydrogen in such a field with expansion of the possibilities of experimental identification of the latter.