Photoionization of 4d-electrons in singly charged Xe ions

Abstract

Using a photon - ion merged-beam technique, we measured the relative yield spectra of and ions created by photoionization of ions as a function of the photon energy in the 4d ionization region. The ion production, i.e. the double-electron ionization process is found to be dominant throughout the energy range investigated. A broad structure of 4d excitation ionization around 100 eV photon energy was observed in the yield spectrum. A spectral shoulder was observed for at around 85 eV, which was absent in the photoionization of neutral Xe. Some discrete lines were observed for both the - and -yield spectra below 75 eV. The experimental spectra were analysed by a multiconfiguration Dirac - Fock calculation. The largest structure at around 100 eV is attributable to (n=6,7) two-electron transitions. The discrete lines were found to be due to , n f transitions. A serious 4f-orbital collapse is suspected in the 4 fn p two-electron excited states, whereas the collapse is moderate in the singly excited 4f-orbitals.