Ionization thresholds and positions of avoided crossing of potassium Stark Rydberg states: a Stark-adapted quantum defect orbital treatment

We have calculated the positions of the avoided level crossings between (n+2)s, np states and nd, k Stark states in the Rydberg Stark states of the potassium atom with principal quantum number n comprised between 12 and 17. We have also studied the adiabatic electric field ionization thresholds for the above Rydberg states. Both the ionization thresholds and the positions of avoided crossings have been calculated using the recently developed Stark-adapted quantum defect orbital (SQDO) formalism. The presently reported values appear to be in very good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental data.