Theoretical calculations of the H i, He i and He ii free–bound continuous emission spectra

We present coefficients for the calculation of the continuous emission spectra of H  i , He  i and He  ii due to electron–ion recombination. Coefficients are given for photon energies from the first ionization threshold for each ion to the   n = 20  threshold of hydrogen  (36.5 μm)  , and for temperatures  100 ≤  T ≤ 10⁵ K  . The emission coefficients for He  i are derived from accurate ab initio photoionization data. The coefficients are scaled in such a way that they may be interpolated by a simple scheme with uncertainties less than 1 per cent in the whole temperature and wavelength domain. The data are suitable for incorporation into photoionization/plasma codes and should aid with the interpretation of spectra from the very cold ionized gas phase inferred to exist in a number of gaseous clouds.