Research Overview
Understanding the evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) has been a catalyst for my astrophysical career. My initial discovery that multiple supernovae were required to model the Local Hot Bubble (Smith et al. 2001a) led to a new approach to the analysis of X-ray spectra, and my interests further broadened as I then became an expert in X- ray spectroscopy and, in particular, the atomic physics required to extract physical parameters from spectra (Smith et al. 2001b). As this expertise applied generally тАУ to research in abundances and turbulence in galaxy clusters, the chemical composition ofthe Galaxy, and the plasmas found in supernova remnants amongst others тАУ it has led to collaborations working in nearly all areas of X-ray astronomy.
In particular, I study the formation and composition of interstellar grains as revealed by X-ray scattering, the origin of the soft X-ray background, including both the local hot bubble and solar wind charge exchange, the origin of mixed- morphology supernova remnants from both observational and theoretical modeling, and ISM studies via absorption spectroscopy of X-ray binaries. I also work on other topics involving X-ray spectroscopy, including studying accretion processes in symbiotic stars and other compact sources.
I also now lead the development and maintenance of a collisional plasma code and atomic database called the AtomDB.
My general interests are as follows:
- Interstellar Medium: morphology, phases, X-ray emission
- X-ray Spectra: collisional plasma processes, diffuse emission, supernova remnants, X-ray scattering in dust grains
- Interstellar Dust: evolution, destruction, cooling
My CV is also available.
