HI-to-H2 Transitions and H I Column Densities in Galaxy Star-Forming Regions

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We present new analytic theory and radiative transfer computations for the atomic to molecular (HI-to-H2) transitions, and the build-up of atomic-hydrogen (HI) gas columns, in optically thick interstellar clouds, irradiated by far-ultraviolet photodissociating radiation fields.

• We derive analytic expressions for the total HI column densities for (1D) planar slabs, for beamed or isotropic radiation fields, from the weak- to strong-field limits, for gradual or sharp atomic to molecular transitions, and for arbitrary metallicity.
• Our expressions may be used to evaluate the HI column densities as functions of the radiation field intensity and the H2-dust-limited dissociation flux, the hydrogen gas density, and the metallicity-dependent H2 formation rate-coefficient and far-UV dust-grain absorption cross-section.
• We make the distinction between "HI-dust" and "H2-dust" opacity, and we present computations for the "universal H2-dust-limited effective dissociation bandwidth".