Experimental and theoretical analysis of the 5 pnpJ =0 e , 1 e , 2 e autoionizing spectrum of Sr

The even parity 5 pnpJ = 0, 1 and 2 doubly excited autoionizing states of strontium were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Sr atoms in an atomic beam were excited through the two-step Isolated Core Excitation (ICE) scheme 5s^{2 1} S ₀ -λ ₁ → 5 sn'p ¹ P ₁ ( n' = 12-16)-λ ₂ → 5 p _3/2 np ] _J . The final ICE transition probes the 5 p _3/2 np ] _J resonances. However, the 5 p _1/2 np ] _J series below the 5 p _1/2 threshold were excited also due to their mixing with the 5 p _3/2 np ] _J perturbers. An extended energy region was covered below and above the 5 p _1/2 ionization limit by saturating the central ICE lobe and recording as many as possible “red” and “blue” secondary lobes. J identification was achieved by using mutually parallel and perpendicular linear polarizations of the laser beams. The ICE spectra were compared to those obtained by employing a two-step excitation scheme using the bound 4 d 5 p ¹ P ₁ valence state as an intermediate one. Final identification for very complex structures was achieved after comparison with theoretical energy level positions and excitation profiles produced by the R-matrix method combined with the multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT) method. The agreement between theoretical and observed structures is quite satisfactory. Received 31 May 2000