Elements of Quantum Defect Theory. II. A Unified Theory of Rydberg and Autoionizing States

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a quantum defect theory (QDT) basis for a unified approach to Rydberg and auto-ionizing states in atoms and molecules. A scattering-theoretic outline of QDT was given by A. R. P. Rau in the previous paper in this volume; the present paper focuses on atomic aspects of QDT and provides comment on the transition from atoms to molecules; finally, the MQDT of diatomic molecules will be discussed in detail by C. H. Greene in the following paper in this volume.