A search for H/-/ in the shell surrounding chi Ophiuchi

Assuming that chi Oph is an extreme Be star, some consequences are investigated for the interpretation that the IR excesses in such stars are produced by H(-) free-bound emission. The column density of H(-) in the shell surrounding chi Oph is estimated from the observed IR excess, and Copernicus UV spectrophotometric data are used to search for a predicted absorption feature at 1129.54 A due to H(-) and to derive an upper limit to the H(-) column density. No feature resembling the predicted H(-) line is seen in the spectrum of chi Oph, and a marked discrepancy is noted between the estimated column density and the derived upper limit. Possible causes of these discrepancies are discussed, including incorrect interpretation of the IR excess in extreme Be stars, incorrect theoretical calculations describing the predicted H(-) UV absorption line, and the possibility that the line of sight through the shell does not intersect the regions where the IR excess originates.