National Aeronautics and Space Administration

universal atomic Database (uaDB)

The Universal Atomic Database (uaDB) is a repository of atomic physics quantities needed for astrophysics. While initially focusing on processes relevant to X-ray astrophysics, the goal of uaDB is to be as comprehensive as possible, thereby allowing the user to conveniently access as much public data as possible.

All data in uaDB is intrinsically connected to its source. In fact, the source publication (or publications) can be accessed with just a couple clicks of the mouse. Data is stored using the format, fitting formulae, and units used in the original source publication. No fitting, reformatting or rescaling of the data is performed.

Use of the database is based around queries, submitted through the Browser page. Queries can be as general or specific as desired, and the user can select data according to the following criteria:

• Data type, describing the physical process;
• Data value or range;
• Value of any parameter, such as energy or atomic level;
• Single ion, iso-nuclear, or iso-electronic sequence.

Queries can be initiated from this page, using the Quick Search box, or from the Browser page. A query will return a list of datasets which satisfy the specified criteria. This can be further refined if desired. The data itself can be retrieved using the blue GET buttons at any stage of this process. Data can also be downloaded as simple ASCII text files by clicking on the red ASCII button.