Atomic data and spectral line intensities for Ni XXI

Electron impact collision strengths, energy levels, oscillator strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for Ni XXI. The configurations used are 2s22p4, 2s2p5, 2p6, 2s22p33s, and 2s23p33d giving rise to 58 fine-structure levels in intermediate coupling. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident energies, 85, 170, 255, 340, and 425 Ry. Excitation rate coefficients are calculated by assuming a Maxwellian electron velocity distribution at an electron temperature of log Te(K)=6.9, corresponding to maximum abundance of Ni XXI. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative transition rates, statistical equilibrium equations for level populations are solved at electron densities 108-1014 cm-3. Relative spectral line intensities are calculated. Proton excitation rates between the lowest three levels have been included in the statistical equilibrium equations. The predicted intensity ratios are compared with available observations