Ground Levels and Ionization Potentials for Lanthanide and Actinide Atoms and Ions

Abstract

Values of the first four ionization potentials of the lanthanides (Z=57–71) and of Hf have been compiled. All except the value for neutral Hf are based on spectroscopic data. The spectroscopic designations of the ground levels of the neutral through triply ionized atoms (Z=57–72) are also tabulated. A similar compilation for the actinides (Z=89–103) lists Sugar's recent values for the first ionization potentials through No (Z=102). Accurate spectroscopic ionization potentials have been determined for only two of the actinide ions (Ac+ and Th3+). The ground-level designations for the neutral through triply ionized actinides are given where they are known or can be predicted with near certainty. A selection of references to the most complete and most recent work on the analyses of the optical spectra of the neutral through triply ionized lanthanide and actinide elements is included.