Atomic transition probabilities a survey of our present knowledge and future needs

Abstract

A general survey of the present status of our knowledge of atomic transition probabilities is given and the principal methods for obtaining the numerical data are briefly reviewed on a critical basis. Areas of particular relevance to beam foil spectroscopy are emphasized. Using a number of numerical examples and employing systematic trends and comparison data, some general problems encountered with beam foil data are pointed out. Finally, some of the most pressing future needs for new and improved transition probabilities are indicated.