Photoionization Cross Sections Research Articles

Experimental determination of the sulfur K-shell fundamental parameters employing the holistic approach

Abstract Sulfur and its compounds are both very abundant in the environment and very important for technological applications such as batteries. X-ray spectroscopic characterizations of sulfur compounds for a quantitative determination of the present amount of sulfur often requires a good knowledge on the atomic fundamental parameters involved. These quantitatively describe the processes of photoionization and X-ray fluorescence emission, making them crucial for X-ray spectroscopy-based quantifications. 
By employing the recently demonstrated holistic approach, the atomic fundamental parameters of the sulfur K-shell were experimentally determined using the radiometrically calibrated instrumentation of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). The transition probabilities of the main K-shell fluorescence lines, the K-shell fluorescence yield, the K-shell Auger yield, the subshell photoionization cross section and fluorescence production cross section were determined by means of photon energy dependent X-ray fluorescence and transmission measurements on a thin InS coated silicon nitride membrane. The results are also downloadable from Zenodo as plain text.

Similarity of Near-Threshold Energy Dependence of Positronium Formation and Photoionization in Molecules.

High-resolution measurements of the positronium formation cross sections for positron energies from threshold to 10eV are presented for aniline (C_{6}H_{5}NH_{2}), pyridine (C_{5}H_{5}N), and cyclopentane (C_{5}H_{10}). The data reveal that the measured energy dependence of the cross sections on the excess energy in the near-threshold region (1-2eV) is nearly identical to that of the corresponding photoionization cross sections. This similarity occurs despite the difference between the basic threshold laws for processes without and with a Coulomb interaction between the final-state particles. It is proposed here that the near-threshold behavior of these two different ionization processes is governed by the vibrational dynamics of the final-state cation. This is supported by comparison of the data with the calculated spectrum of vibronic intensities for the pyridine cation [Trofimov etal., J. Chem. Phys. 153, 164307 (2020)JCPSA60021-960610.1063/5.0024446].

Stabilization of U 5f2 configuration in UTe2 through U 6d dimers in the presence of Te2 chains

We investigate the topological superconductor candidate UTe2 using high-resolution valence-band resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the U M4,5 edges. We observe atomiclike low-energy excitations that support the correlated nature of this unconventional superconductor. These excitations originate from the U 5f2 configuration, which is unexpected since the short Te2-Te2 distances exclude Te2 being 2−. By utilizing the photoionization cross-section dependence of the photoemission spectra in combination with band structure calculations, we infer that the stabilization of the U 5f2 configuration is due to the U 6d bonding states in the U dimers acting as a charge reservoir. Our results emphasize that the description of the physical properties should commence with a 5f2 ansatz. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Intensity-energy response function of Al/Cr-K[formula omitted] x-ray photoemission instruments: An inter-laboratory study

The question of the intensity-energy response of photoemission spectrometers has been approached through a round-robin involving 13 instruments working with low (Al/Mg-Kα) and high (Cr-Kα) energy photon sources. An algorithm based on the analysis of inelastic background previously proposed [S. Guilet et al., J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom. 285 (2022) 147225)] was intensively tested against calibrated Al/Mg-Kα instruments and calculated relative sensitivity factors (RSFs) over the 15 core level peaks of coinage metals (Ag, Au, Cu). In both cases, the linear correlation within ±10 %, over two orders of magnitude in intensity and for kinetic energies ranging from ∼400 to 1400eV, showed the consistency of the approach. All the contributions to RSFs (e.g. non-dipolar terms in the photo-ionization cross section, elastic scattering effects, surface excitations, beam polarization by the monochromator) were critically reviewed and taken into account using the state-of-the-art modellings and databases. Strong variations were evidenced among instruments, regarding not only the response functions, but also the theoretical RSFs due to different measurement geometries. For the Cr-Kα hard x-ray instruments, the same analysis was performed with a set of different materials (Al, Si, Ge, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Mo, Ag, W, Au). A ±10 % satisfactory agreement against theoretical RSFs over 69 core levels spanning a large kinetic energy range (300–4000 eV) could be achieved with a common response function. Despite limitations that are reviewed, this work opens interesting perspectives for a systematic calibration of photoemission instruments.

Relation between photoionisation cross sections and attosecond time delays

Abstract Determination and interpretation of Wigner-like photoionisation delays is one of the most active fields of attosecond science. Previous results have suggested that large photoionisation delays are associated with structured continua, but a quantitative relation between photoionisation cross sections and time delays has been missing. Here, we derive a Kramers-Kronig-like relation between these quantities and demonstrate its validity for (anti)resonances. This new concept defines a topological analysis, which rationalises the sign of photoionisation delays and thereby sheds new light on a long-standing controversy regarding the sign of the photoionisation delay near the Ar 3s Cooper minimum. Our work bridges traditional photoionisation spectroscopy with attosecond chronoscopy and offers new methods for analysing and interpreting photoionisation delays.

An experimental study of surrogates of diesel from indirect coal liquefaction and the development of an improved kinetic mechanism

The increasing energy shortage and environmental pollution make the use of clean and efficient alternative fuels an effective way to solve the emission problem. Diesel from indirect coal liquefied (DICL) is a clean and efficient alternative fuel for diesel engines. The composition and chemical kinetics mechanism of DICL research contributes to a better understanding of combustion and pollutant formation process. The components of DICL were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The proportion of normal alkanes contained in DICL is particularly high, 93.82%, which proves that its reactivity is particularly good. The mixture of n-dodecane and iso-octane was selected as the surrogates of DICL. The oxidation process of DICL surrogates was examined by a jet-stirred reactor (JSR) over the temperature range of 500–890 K. A detailed kinetic mechanism of surrogates encompassing 1356 species and 6008 reactions was constructed. The critical reactions associated with the reactivity of surrogates were adjusted by the sensitivity analysis method to increase the accuracy of mechanism prediction. The predicted value of the improved mechanism is in good agreement with the experimental value. The improved mechanism can reasonably predict the oxidation process and the ignition characteristics of DICL and the improved mechanism can provide a good reference value for the subsequent analysis of combustion and emission problems of DICL. Abbreviations: C/H, C/H ratio; CN, cetane number; DDCL, direct coal liquefy diesel; DICL, Diesel from indirect coal liquefied; GC-MS, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; HMN, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane; HXN, n-hexadecane; IDT, ignition delay time; JSR, jet-stirred reactor; LHV, low heating value; LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; NSRL, National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory; NTC, negative temperature coefficient; PICS, photoionization cross section; PRF, gasoline substitute; PSR, perfectly stirred reactor; SVUV-PIMS, Synchrotron VUV photoionization mass spectrometry; TOF-MS, time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Photoionization of hydrogen halides using the R-matrix method

Abstract In this study, we use the UK Molecular R-matrix (UKRMol) codes in the close-coupling approximation to examine the photoionization of hydrogen halides (hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen bromide). This article reports the total and partial photoionization cross sections for the X2Π, A2Σ+, and B2Σ+ ionic states of these halides. The calculated cross sections are compared with the available literature, which does not accurately represent the effective cross sections near the threshold region, which is dominated by the Rydberg series autoionization resonances converging to the A2Σ+ ionic state. There seems to have been minimal effort to investigate the Rydberg-bound states of these halides. Meanwhile, the R-matrix approaches have traditionally excelled at characterizing such studies. This indicates the effectiveness of this method for molecular photoionization as well as for understanding the resonant contribution to the photoionization cross sections. The detailed cross sections calculated comprise the complex autoionizing resonance structures capable of significantly contributing to the computations of total photoionization rates, which are necessary to maintain a steady state of ionization in astrophysical plasmas. Comparisons with the experimental measurements and the theoretical data generally show reasonable agreement across the reported energy range.

The combined effects of electric field and embedded dielectric matrix on the electronic and optical properties in Ge/SiGe core/shell quantum dots and its SiGe/Ge inverted structure

In this study, the binding energy (BE) and photoionization cross-section (PICS) coefficients in a Ge/Si0.15Ge 0.85 core/shell quantum dots (CSQDs) and in its inverted structure Si0.15Ge0.85 / Ge (ICSQDs) are studied. The influence of the hydrogenic impurity and capped matrix are taken into account. The electronic states and their related eigenfunctions are computed by solving the three-dimensional Schrödinger equation under the framework of the effective mass approximation (E.M.A) using the variational dimensional. The influence of the core radius and electric field strength on the BE and PICS are investigated. The numerical results reveal that the optoelectronic properties are considerably affected by the electric field strength (EF), immersed oxide matrix (OM) and geometric parameter. The obtained results prove that the PICS magnitude increases as the core radius increases and its resonant peak moves towards the lower energies for Ge/Si0.15Ge0.85 CSQDs structure, and increases as the core radius decreases and its resonant peak experiences a blue shift with increasing core radius for Si0.15Ge 0.85/ Ge ICSQDs. Moreover, with the effects of the surrounding oxide matrix and electric field strength, the PICS magnitude is improved and their resonant peak suffers a redshift.

Rotating effects on the photoionization cross-section of a 2D quantum ring

In this article, we investigate the nonrelativistic quantum motion of a charged particle within a rotating frame, taking into account the Aharonov–Bohm (AB) effect and a uniform magnetic field. Our analysis entails the derivation of the equation of motion and the corresponding radial equation to describe the system. Solving the resulting radial equation enables us to determine the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions, providing a clear expression for the energy levels. Furthermore, our numerical analysis highlights the substantial influence of rotation on both energy levels and optical properties. Specifically, we evaluate the photoionization cross-section with and without the effects of rotation. To elucidate the impact of rotation on the photoionization process of the system, we present graphics that offer an appealing visualization of the intrinsic nature of the physics involved.

Thermal decomposition study of 1,3-dioxolane as a representative of battery solvent

As industrial compounds and organic solvent, 1,3-dioxolane (C3H6O2) is used in lithium-ion batteries arousing extensive interest. The pyrolysis of C3H6O2 at 150 torr pressure was conducted in the temperature range of 743–1013 K. In order to quantify the major products, experimental measurements of the photoionization cross-section (PICS) and photoionization efficiency (PIE) for C3H6O2 were carried out by using synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry (SR-PIMS). Twenty-three intermediates were detected in pyrolysis of C3H6O2 including the newly observed ketene, acetaldehyde, ethenol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, diacetylene and 2-propen-1-ol which played important roles in developing mechanism. The H-abstraction of C3H6O2 by H, CH3 and OH radicals were studied via high level ab initio calculations. EStokTP code was used to find and calculate optimal geometries, vibration frequencies and intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) at the theory level of M06–2X/6–311+G(d,p). Conventional transition state theory (TST) was used and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus/Master Equation (RRKM/ME) was solved to obtain rate coefficients. For H-abstraction by H and CH3, the rates are increasing versus temperature, and rates of H-abstraction by OH show different tendency. These rate parameters were used to update the model of C3H6O2, which could well predict the ignition delay times (IDTs) in shock tube and oxidation data in jet stirred reactor (JSR) from literature. For the pyrolysis, H-abstraction reactions by H, CH3 and OH and unimolecular reactions contribute to solvent decay. Detailed pathways of C3H6O2 decomposition were also given and analyzed through this experiment and previous literature. The findings, including the experimental data and the calculations will assist to better understand pyrolysis characteristics of C3H6O2 as well.

Further investigation of spatially resolved single grain quartz OSL and TL signals

The use of luminescence signals from single mineral grains for optical dating has become a valuable and frequently utilised tool in Quaternary Geochronology. Single grain luminescence dating is particularly beneficial in complex depositional settings, however the ability to measure single grain signals also offers the opportunity to assess intrinsic luminescence properties of individual mineral grains. The use of spatially resolved luminescence technologies such as an electron multiplier charge coupled device is of benefit when making luminescence measurements at single grain scales because they allow stimulation with light emitting diodes, and this offers a number of key benefits related to stimulation power when it comes to the assessment of characteristics such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) decay rate and the calculation of parameters such as the fast ratio and photo ionisation cross-sections. In this paper, the intra- and inter-sample variability of sensitised single grain thermoluminescence (TL) and OSL signals is considered. A comparison between TL and OSL signals is undertaken, as well as calculation of the fast ratio, OSL component photo ionisation cross-sections, thermal stability, and characteristic dose for a suite of quartz samples from a range of geographic locations and depositional settings. For these heated signals, key findings include the lack of relationship between OSL signal intensity and dominance of the fast component, the fitting of two components (a fast and slow component) is the most common fit for single grain OSL signals, characteristic doses from fast dominated signals suggesting saturation at c. 150 Gy, and the identification of the ultrafast OSL component. Intra-sample variability across all measured parameters is observed, suggesting that for this suite of samples, variability is the norm rather than the exception, and that the intrinsic luminescence characteristics of quartz are variable and diverse.

Quantifying the U 5f covalence and degree of localization in U intermetallics

A procedure for quantifying the U 5f electronic covalency and degree of localization in U intermetallic compounds is presented. To this end, bulk sensitive hard and soft x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were utilized in combination with density-functional theory (DFT) plus dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) calculations. The energy dependence of the photoionization cross sections allows the disentanglement of the U 5f contribution to the valence band from the various other atomic subshells so the computational parameters in the DFT+DMFT can be reliably determined. Applying this method to UGa2 and UB2 as model compounds from opposite ends of the (de)localization range, we have achieved excellent simulations of the valence band and core-level spectra. The width in the distribution of atomic U 5f configurations contributing to the ground state, as obtained from the calculations, quantifies the correlated nature and degree of localization of the U 5f. The findings permit answering the longstanding question why different spectroscopic techniques give seemingly different numbers for the U 5f valence in intermetallic U compounds. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Continuum spectrum of atomic lithium in a magnetic field of white dwarfs

ABSTRACT This paper reports on computational results of continuum spectra of atomic lithium in white-dwarf-strength magnetic fields. The adiabatic-basis-expansion method with R-matrix propagation has been used to study photoionization of magnetized alkali metal atoms. The R-matrix propagation technique and the two-dimensional matching scheme were utilized to obtain wavefunctions of the continuum states. Cross-sections of photoionization are calculated for lithium atoms in magnetic fields. Continuum spectra for its various bound-free transitions in magnetic white dwarf stars are presented as a function of field strengths ranging from 11.75 to 117.50 MG. Comparison is made between continuum spectra of diamagnetic hydrogen and lithium atoms. The comparison shows good agreement or remarkable difference for final continuum states with different symmetries in the photoionization processes concerned. A detailed analysis has been performed to understand the obtained results. The good agreement displayed manifests the reliability of the extended adiabatic-basis-expansion method. This method is suited to produce a large number of photoionization cross-section data for alkali metal atoms in a strong magnetic field, and therefore can serve as a tool to simulate continuum spectra observed in the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs with alkali metal atoms.

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence study of the CO B 1Σ+ (v' = 0) state in a 4850K plasma plume: Modified molecular constants, evidence of predissociation, and J'-dependent photoionization.

We report the two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence rotational spectrum of the CO B 1Σ+ ← X 1Σ+ Hopfield-Birge system (v' = 0, v″ = 0) Q-branch in an ∼4850K, atmospheric pressure plasma torch plume at thermal equilibrium in both the quenching-dominated (low laser intensity) and photoionization-dominated (high laser intensity) regimes. We provide a detailed analysis of the photophysics in these two regimes using a rate equation approach and propose modeling considerations for them as well. In the experimental spectra, distinct rotational transitions up to J″ = 83 are observed, allowing analysis over a very large range of rotational states. Evidence of predissociation is observed for J' ≥ 64 and is likely due to the interaction with the D'1Σ+ electronic state, which has been proposed in the literature but never observed in the v' = 0 state. The line positions of higher rotational states show disagreement with line positions calculated from molecular constants in the available literature, suggesting the need for modifications to the constants, which are reported here. A shift in the B 1Σ+ ← X 1Σ+ absorption spectrum toward higher two-photon energy as a result of the second-order Stark shift was observed in the photoionization-dominated spectrum, and the second-order Stark shift cross section was estimated to be 7 ± 3 × 10-18 cm2. The mean photoionization cross section of the excited upper state was inferred by comparing the line broadening of the two spectra and was estimated to be 11 ± 7 × 10-18 cm2. In addition, weak J'-dependent variations of the photoionization cross section were observed and are reported here.

Energy levels and characteristic features in photoionization of Cl III using the R-matrix method

We report study of Cl III for its large number of fine structure bound levels, 890, with n ≤ 10 and l ≤ 9, and 1/2 ≤ j ≤ 19/2 of even and odd parities with spectroscopic designation and photoionization cross sections (σPI) of the levels revealing various characteristic features. Various resonant structures and the shapes of the background, and their interference in σPI are illustrated for the ground, excited equivalent electron, low and high lying excited levels with single valence electron, and effects of fine structure couplings. σPI of the ground level shows Rydberg series of resonances on smooth background, and of equivalent electron levels producing strong closely spaced Rydberg series of resonances belonging to the low lying core ion excitation thresholds. They will impact applications in low temperature plasma. For the single valence electron excited levels, we find that σPI of low lying excited states are dominated by Rydberg series of resonances and of high lying excited states exhibit prominent broad feature of Seaton resonances. Partial photoionization cross sections of the ground level for leaving the core ion in the ground and various excited levels are also presented for applications in plasma modeling. The study was carried out in relativistic Breit–Pauli R-matrix method using a large close coupling wave function expansion of 45 levels of the core ion configurations 3 s23 p2, 3 s3 p3, 3 s23 p3 d, 3 s23 p4 s, 3 s3 p23 d, and 3 p4 with closed 1s, 2s, 2p orbitals. They belong to the optimized set of 13 configurations of Cl IV, 3 s23 p2, 3 s3 p3, 3 s23 p3 d, 3 s23 p4 s, 3 s23 p4 p, 3 s23 p4 d, 3 s3 p23 d, 3 s3 p24 s, 3 s3 p24 p, 3 p4, 3 p33 d, 3 p34 s, and 3 p34 p. Cl III energies are in good agreement with measured values. σPI features of low lying levels were benchmark with observation carried out at Advanced Light Source at LBNL with very good agreement. The present set of high accuracy data should complete for any practical applications.

Photoionization process of the hydrogenlike carbon ion embedded in warm and hot dense plasmas.

Complicated many-body interactions between ions and surrounding particles exist in warm and hot dense plasmas. It will significantly alter the atomic structures and dynamic properties of the embedded ions. Recently, the atomic-state-dependent (ASD) screening model has been proposed and shown to be valid for investigating the screening effect in warm and hot dense plasmas over a wide range of electron densities and temperatures. By employing the ASD model, we investigate the photoionization process for the hydrogenlike carbon ion embedded in warm and hot dense plasmas with corresponding Coulomb coupling parameter ranges of 0.05 ≤ Γ ≤ 1.16, where Γ characterizes the ratio of the average potential to thermal energy. It is found that there are stronger plasma screening effects on the ionization energy and photoionization cross section due to the negative-energy electron distributions considered in the ASD model compared to those considering only free electrons. The present results from the ASD model show reasonable agreement with the classical Debye-Hückel (DH) model in weakly coupled plasmas. However, significant deviations of the ionization energy and cross section between these two models are observed in moderately and strongly coupled plasmas, due to the approximate treatment of the plasma-electron density distribution of the DH model. In the region of low photoelectron energies, the positions of the shape resonance peaks of the cross sections obtained from the ASD model differ significantly from those of the DH model due to the different screening effects.

IRSL properties of HfO2 obtained by the precipitation method and its correlation to ESR centres

Infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) emission and its characterisation are reported for the first time for HfO2 synthesised by the precipitation method and its electron spin resonance (ESR) centres properties are shown in this study. IRSL spectrum has a broad emission band in the blue region, which is centred at about 2.49 eV. A similar emission was observed for the radiofluorescence (RF) with a band centred at 2.52 eV. RF signal intensity decreases with the readout temperature, which might indicate a thermal quenching process.IRSL signal is strongly affected by the readout temperature, as part of its emission is related to the presence of shallow traps (<100 °C). The IRSL shine-down curve is composed of two components with decay times of 15.7 and 800 s, and photoionisation cross-section values of about 1.20 × 10−19 and 2.35 × 10−21 cm2, respectively, based on IRSL carried out at 100 °C after 2 Gy of beta irradiation dose, using a general-order kinetic model. Dosimetric analyses indicated that there is a reproducible signal in IRSL, with a coefficient of variation lower than 9 % for repeatability and 3 % for reproducibility measurements. The dose-response curve has a linear trend in the dose range of 0.3–2.0 Gy. Regarding the photon energy study, it shows an overresponse for photo energy values below 200 keV. Fading of about 40 % after one day of storage was observed.Bleaching measurements indicated that the TL peaks located between 100 and 250 °C share the same trap levels as the IRSL ones. In addition, a possible charge transference is observed from the peak at 330 °C to lower temperature peaks. ESR analyses identified that oxygen vacancies of V+ type in a four-coordinated arrangement are induced by irradiation and are temperature-sensitive. Based on the bleaching and ESR measurements, it is reasonable to infer that V+ type vacancies are likely responsible for the IRSL, and its blue emission.

R-matrix calculations for opacities: IV. Convergence, completeness, and comparison of relativistic R-matrix and distorted wave calculations for Fe xvii and Fe xviii

To investigate the completeness of coupled channel (CC) Breit–Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) calculations for opacities we employ the relativistic distorted wave (RDW) method to complement (‘top-up’) and compare the BPRM photoionization cross sections for high- nℓ levels of both Fe xvii and Fe xviii . Good agreement is found with background photoionization cross sections using these two methods, which also ensures the correct matching of bound level cross sections for completeness. In order to top-up the CC-BPRM calculations, bound–bound transitions involving additional bound levels, and a large number of doubly-excited quasi-bound levels corresponding to BPRM autoionizing resonances described in the paper RMOPII are calculated using the RDW method. Photoionization cross sections in the high energy region are also computed and compared up to about 500 Ry, and contributions from higher core level excitations than BPRM are considered. The effect of configuration interaction is investigated, which plays a significant role in correctly reproducing some background cross sections. Due to the fact that the additional RDW levels correspond to high- nℓ bound levels that are negligibly populated according to the Mihalas–Hummer–Däppen equation-of-state (paper I), the effect on opacities is expected to be small.

R-matrix calculations for opacities: III. Plasma broadening of autoionizing resonances

A general formulation is employed to study and quantitatively ascertain the effect of plasma broadening of intrinsic autoionizing (AI) resonances in photoionization cross sections. In particular, R-matrix data for iron ions described in the previous paper in the RMOP series (RMOP-II, hereafter RMOP2) are used to demonstrate underlying physical mechanisms due to electron collisions, ion microfields (Stark), thermal Doppler effects, core excitations, and free–free transitions. Breit–Pauli R-matrix cross sections for a large number of bound levels of Fe ions are considered, 454 levels of Fe XVII, 1184 levels of Fe XVIII and 508 levels of Fe XIX. Following a description of theoretical and computational methods, a sample of results is presented to show significant broadening and shifting of AI resonances due to extrinsic plasma broadening as a function of temperature and density. The redistribution of AI resonance strengths broadly preserves their integrated strengths as well as the naturally intrinsic asymmetric shapes of resonance complexes which are broadened, smeared and flattened, eventually dissolving into the bound-free continua.

R-matrix calculations for opacities: I. Methodology and computations

An extended version of the R-matrix methodology is presented for calculation of radiative parameters for improved plasma opacities. Contrast and comparisons with existing methods primarily relying on the distorted wave approximation are discussed to verify accuracy and resolve outstanding issues, particularly with reference to the opacity project (OP). Among the improvements incorporated are: (i) large-scale Breit–Pauli R-matrix calculations for complex atomic systems including fine structure, (ii) convergent close coupling wave function expansions for the (e + ion) system to compute oscillator strengths and photoionization cross sections, (iii) open and closed shell iron ions of interest in astrophysics and experiments, (iv) a treatment for plasma broadening of autoionizing resonances as function of energy-temperature-density dependent cross sections, (v) a ‘top-up’ procedure to compare convergence with R-matrix calculations for highly excited levels, and (vi) spectroscopic identification of resonances and bound (e + ion) levels. The present R-matrix monochromatic opacity spectra are fundamentally different from OP and lead to enhanced Rosseland and Planck mean opacities. An outline of the work reported in other papers in this series and those in progress is presented. Based on the present re-examination of the OP work, opacities of heavy elements might require revisions in high temperature-density plasma sources.