Calculation ofCe−binding energies by analysis of photodetachment partial cross sections

Abstract

The electron affinity of cerium is determined from relativistic configuration interaction photodetachment calculations through a reinterpretation of available experimental data [V. T. Davis and J. S. Thompson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 073003 (2002)]. This analysis yields a 4f5d{sup 2}6s{sup 2} {sup 4}H{sub 7/2} Ce{sup -} ground state (a 5d attachment relative to the 4f5d6s{sup 2} {sup 1}G{sub 4} neutral Ce ground state) with binding energy of 0.660 eV as well as 18 other bound states of the same configuration. The lowest-lying state of seven bound states of the opposite parity (6p attachments) is 4f5d6s{sup 2}6p {sup 2}H{sub 9/2}, which is bound by 0.300 eV.