Photodouble ionization of helium at an excess energy of 40 eV

Abstract

Angular correlation in the two-electron continuum of the He double photoionization has been studied, both experimentally and theoretically, for equal and unequal energy sharing conditions at the photon energy of 40 eV above the threshold. The triple differential cross sections have been measured in the plane perpendicular to the photon direction using the multi-coincidence detection technique of Reddish et al at the Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source. Recent modifications to the bending-magnet beam line allowed an effective cancellation of the circular polarization at the target, leaving a relatively high degree of linear polarization (Stokes parameters: S3 = S2 0, S1 = 0.8). The measured cross sections are compared with the calculations using the 3C method of Maulbetsch and Briggs and the convergent close coupling method of Kheifets and Bray. Good agreement between theory and experiment has been found in most cases, except for the unequal energy sharing when one of the escaping electrons is detected in a direction close to the polarization axis.