Collisional excitation and alignment of np5(n+1)s2 autoionizing states of the alkali-metal atoms.

Abstract

The excitation cross sections and the alignment of the lowest autoionizing states, ${\mathrm{np}}^{5}$(n+1)${s}^{2}$, of Na, K, Rb, and Cs, induced by impact of various projectiles, have been calculated. The alignment by projectiles heavier than electrons is seen to exhibit a rich structure as a function of impact energy and it is anticipated that its overall behavior should be observable by experiment. Good agreement is found with the available data on sodium.