Calculations of relativistic, correlation, nuclear and quantum-electrodynamics corrections to the energies and ionization potentials of the ground state of lithium-like ions

Abstract

This paper presents all the leading contributions to the relativistic binding energies and ionization potentials of the ground state of lithium-like ions with a nuclear charge in the range Z=3-20. Correlation, relativistic and quantum-electrodynamics corrections as well as the contributions due to the finite size of the nucleus (the field shift) and finite mass of the nucleus (the recoil effect) are evaluated. Relativistic calculations are performed by means of the configuration-interaction method in the basis of the Dirac-Fock-Sturm orbitals using the Dirac-Coulomb-Breit Hamiltonian. Keywords: Li-like ions, ionization potential, relativistic calculations, configuration interaction, electron correlations, Breit interaction, field shift, nuclear recoil effect, QED corrections