Application to argon ions of a new technique to measure the two-electron contribution to the ground state energy of helium-like ions

We have measured the two-electron contribution of the ground state energy of helium-like argon ions using an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). A two-dimensional map was measured showing the intensity of x-rays from the trap passing through a krypton-filled absorption cell. The independent axes of this map were electron beam energy and x-ray energy. From this map, we deduced the two-electron contribution of the ground state of helium-like argon. This experimentally determined Value (312.4 +/- 9.5 eV) was found to be in good agreement with our calculated values (about 303.35 eV) and previous calculations of the same quantity. Based on these measurements, we have shown that a ten-day absorption spectroscopy run with a super-EBIT should be sufficient to provide a new benchmark value for the two-electron contribution to the ground state of helium-like krypton. Such a measurement would then constitute a test of quantum electrodynamics to second order.

A radiation-damped R -matrix approach to the electron-impact excitation of helium-like ions for diagnostic application to fusion and astrophysical plasmas

Electron-impact excitation collision strengths for transitions between all singly excited levels up to the n = 4 shell of helium-Eke argon and the n = 4 and 5 shells of helium-like iron have been calculated using a radiation-damped R-matrix approach. The theoretical collision strengths have been examined and associated with their infinite-energy limit values to allow the preparation of Maxwell-averaged effective collision strengths. These are conservatively considered to be accurate to within 20% at all temperatures, 3 x 10(5)-3 x 10(8) K forAr(16+) and 10(6)-10(9) K for Fe24+. They have been compared with the results of previous studies, where possible, and we find a broad accord. The corresponding rate coefficients are required for use in the calculation of derived, collisional-radiative, effective emission coefficients for helium-like lines for diagnostic application to fusion and astrophysical plasmas. The uncertainties in the fundamental collision data have been used to provide a critical assessment of the expected resultant uncertainties in such derived data, including redistributive and cascade collisional-radiative effects. The consequential uncertainties in the parts of the effective emission coefficients driven by excitation from the ground levels for the key w, x, y and z lines vary between 5% and 10%. Our results remove an uncertainty in the reaction rates of a key class of atomic processes governing the spectral emission of helium-like ions in plasmas.

Hyperfine quenching of the 3s3p P-3(0) level in Mg-like ions

Hyperfine quenching rates of the 3s3p P-3(0) level in Mg-like ions were calculated using the GRASP2K package based on the multi-configuration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method. Valence and core-valence correlation effects were accounted for in a systematic way. Breit interactions and QED effects were included in the subsequent relativistic CI calculations. Calculated rates were compared with other theoretical values and with experiment, and a good agreement with the latest experimental value for the Al-27(+) ion (Rosenband et al 2007 Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 220801) was found. Furthermore, we showed in detail the contributions from Breit interaction and QED effects to concerned physical properties. Finally, electronic data were presented in terms of a general scaling law in Z that, given isotopic nuclear spin and magnetic moment, allows hyperfine-induced decay rates to be estimated for any isotope along the isoelectronic sequence.

Atomic Structures and Radiative Properties of He-like Ions in Debye Plasmas

A detailed investigation of plasma screening effects on atomic structure and transition properties are presented for He-like ions embedded in dense plasma environment. Multi-configuration Dirac-Fock calculations were carried out for these ions by considering a Debye-Huckel potential. A large-scale relativistic configuration-interaction method is adopted to calculate transition energies and transition probabilities and to allow for a systematic improvement of the calculations. Comparison of the presently calculated results with others, when available, is made.

The effect of hyperfine interaction on the lifetime of the 3s3p P-3(2) level of Mg-like ions

On the basis of previous work, the hyperfine-induced 3s3p P-3(2) -> 3s(2) S-1(0) E1 transition probabilities of Mg-like ions were further calculated using the GRASP2K package based on the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method. The contribution to the lifetime of the P-3(2) level from the 3s3p P-3(2) -> 3s(2) S-1(0) hyperfine-induced E1, 3s3p P-3(2) -> 3s3p P-3(1) M1, 3s3p P-3(2) -> 3s(2) S-1(0) M2 and 3s3p P-3(2) -> 3s3p P-3(0,1) E2 transition was discussed in detail. It was found that hyperfine interaction has an obvious effect on the lifetime at the beginning of the Mg-like isoelectronic sequence.

Dielectronic recombination in highly charged He-like ions

We have determined resonant strengths of the KLn (2 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 5) resonances for helium-like Ti ions and (3 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 5) resonances for helium-like Fe ions. The results were obtained using the Tokyo electron beam ion trap. Characteristic X-rays from both dielectronic recombination and radiative recombination were detected as the electron beam energy was scanned through the resonances. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Relativistic radiatively damped R -matrix calculations of the electron-impact excitation of helium-like iron and krypton

Electron-impact excitation data for He-like ions are of significant importance for diagnostic applications to both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. Here we report on the first fully relativistic R -matrix calculations with radiation damping for the He-like ions Fe 24+ and Kr 34+ . Effective collision strengths for these two ions have been determined with and without damping over a wide temperature range for all transitions between the 49 levels through n = 5. We find that damping has a pronounced effect on the effective collision strengths for excitation to some of the low-lying levels, but its effect on excitation to the vast majority of levels is small. At the energy of a resonance peak, we also investigate the effect of radiation damping on the angular distribution of scattered electrons. Finally, we compare our results for Fe 24+ with an earlier intermediate coupling frame transformation R -matrix calculation with radiation damping by Whiteford et al ( J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 34 3179) and find good agreement, especially for excitation to the lower levels.

Ground state energy of He isoelectronic sequence treated variationally via Hylleraas-like wavefunction

In this study, the energy for the ground state of helium and a few helium-like ions (Z=1-6) is computed variationally by using a Hylleraas-like wavefunction. A four-parameters wavefunction, satisfying boundary conditions for coalescence points, is combined with a Hylleraas-like basis set which explicitly incorporates r12 interelectronic distance. The main contribution of this work is the introduction of modified correlation terms leading to the definition of integral transforms which provide the calculation of expectation value of energy to be done analytically over single-particle coordinates instead of Hylleraas coordinates.

Theoretical calculation of photoionization cross sections of B-like ions: N2+, O3+ and F4+

There can be found some notable discrepancies with regard to the resonance structures when R-matrix calculations from the Opacity Project and other sources are compared with recent absolute experimental measurements of Bizau et al [Astron. Astrophts. 439 387 (2005)] for B-like ions N2+, O3+ and F4+. We performed close-coupling calculations based on the R-matrix formalism for the photoionizations of ions mentioned above both for the ground states and first excited states in the near threshold regions. The present results are compared with experimental ones given by Bizau et al and earlier theoretical ones. Excellent agreement is obtained between our theoretical results and the experimental photoionization cross sections. The present calculations show a significant improvement over the previous theoretical results.

Theoretical study on electron impact excitation of highly charged Ne-like ions

The electron impact excitation (EIE) cross sections from the ground state to all of the 2s(2)2p(5)3l and 2s2p(6)3l(l=s, p, d) states along the Ne-like isoelectronic sequence of ions (Z = 50-57) have been calculated by using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock package GRASP92 and the fully relativistic distorted-wave program REIE06. In the calculations, the relativistic effects and electron correlation effects are considered systematically. Based on those calculations, the EIE cross sections along the Ne-like isoelectronic sequence of ions for different incident electron energies are discussed, and some important conclusions are drawn. We also study the influence of the correlation effects on the values of the 3C/3D line-intensity ratio [3C: (2p(1/2)3d(3/2))(1) -> 2s(2)2p(6) S-1(0), 3D: (2p(3/2)3d(5/2))(1) -> 2s(2)2p(6) S-1(0)] along the Ne-like sequence. A comparison is made between the present results and previous theoretical calculations and experimental results for the EIE cross sections in Ba-46 (+) ions, and a good agreement is obtained.

Interference Effects in Hyperfine Induced 2s2p P-3(0), P-3(2) -> 2s(2) S-1(0) Transitions of Be-like Ions

In this paper, we explored the characteristics of the interference effects between perturbative states in hyperfine induced 2s2p P-3(0), P-3(2) -> 2s(2) S-1(0) transitions of Be-like ions. It was found that the interference effects non-monotonically change with increasing atomic number Z in these two transitions. The strongest interference effect is near Z = 9 for 2s2p P-3(0), -> 2s(2) (1)S(0)transition and near Z = 7 for the other.

Two-electron-one-photon M1 and E2 transitions between the states of the 2p(3) and 2s(2)2p odd configurations for B-like ions with 18 <= Z <= 92

Two-electron-one-photon (TEOP) M1 and E2 transition energies, line strengths and transition probabilities between the states of the 2p(3) and 2s(2)2p odd configurations for B-like ions with 18 <= Z <= 92 have been calculated using the GRASP2K package based on the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock (MCDHF) method. Employing active-space techniques to expand the configuration list, we have systematically considered the valence, core-valence and core-core electron correlation effects. Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamical (QED) effects were also included to correct atomic state wavefunctions and the corresponding energies. Influences of electron correlation, Breit interaction and QED effects on transition energies and line strengths of the TEOP M1 and E2 transitions were analysed in detail. The present results were also compared with other theoretical and experimental values.

LUMINESCENCE AND ENERGY MIGRATION IN THE OXYAPATITE CA2GD8(SIO4)6O2 DOPED WITH SEVERAL RARE-EARTH AND MERCURY-LIKE IONS

Energy transfer phenomena have been observed by activating the oxyapatite host-lattice Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2 with Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Sm3+. This is based on the energy migration in the Gd3+ sublattice and trapping by the activators. The trapping efficiency for G