Core-polarization effects in the alkali atoms: oscillator-strength calculations

Abstract

Oscillator strengths for the alkali group of elements have been computed through the quantum defect orbital (QDO) formalism. Three forms of the dipole transition moment have been employed, two of them accounting for core–valence polarization. Clear improvement is obtained over the nonpolarized calculations for the lighter elements, whereas for K, Rb, and Cs, the additional inclusion of spin–orbit effects is shown to be required.