The photoionisation of the2D0and2P0metastable states of atomic nitrogen

Abstract

The present photoionisation study for the N(2s22p3 2D0, 2P0) metastable states extends the calculation on the N(2s22p3 4S0) ground state by the same authors. In both works the initial bound state and the final continua are described by collisional R-matrix expansions over the parent valence states N+(2s22p2, 2s2p3), represented in turn by correlated wavefunctions. This model accounts consistently for the initial-state valence correlations and the final-state dynamical coupling between the 2p and 2s ejection channels. Amongst the autoionised Rydberg series which precede the opening of each dissociation channel, the calculation points out strong valence transitions N(2s22p3 2D0, 2P0) to N*(2s2p4 2Pe) which modify considerably the oscillator strength density over a wide energy range ( approximately=1.15 to 1.45 Ryd). All relevant results of the calculation-total photoabsorption cross sections, quantitative analysis of the prominent resonances, partial photoejection cross sections and angular distributions-are presented in graphic or tabular form over a wide spectral range (0.9 to 3.0 Ryd, i.e. 1000 to 300 AA).