Effects on intercombination transition rates and branching ratios—the UV0.01 (3s23p2 3P1,2 − 3s3p3 5S2) multiplet in Si I-like ions revisited

Abstract

We report on large-scale ab initio calculations for intercombination lines in Si I-like ions. Two measurable quantities, the lifetime of the 3s3p3 5S2 level and the branching ratio of the two lines are discussed, to infer the importance of different features of our calculations. The effects of core polarization, two-body spin-dependent operators and Dirac contra Breit–Pauli approaches are discussed. Earlier calculations are reviewed and evaluated. The calculated lifetimes are in good agreement with experiments, while a discrepancy persists for branching ratios.