Experimental and theoretical cross sections for photoionization of metastable Xe*. (6s 3 P 2, 3 P 0) atoms near threshold

Using high resolution laser photoelectron spectrometry we have determined absolute cross sections σJ ₀ J ₁ and the electron angular distribution parameter for one photon ionization of metastable Xe^*(6s ³ P _J0, J ₀ = 2, 0) atoms to the resolved Xe₊ (² P _J1, J ₁ = 3/2, 1/2) ion states at several wavelengths near threshold. For comparison with the present and future experimental data we have calculated partial cross sections and ß-parameters for photoionization of Xe^*(6s ³ P _J0, J ₀ = 2, 0) and of the analogous alkali atom Cs(6s) over the photoelectron energy range (0–5) eV. We have used both a term-dependent Pauli-Fock (PF) approach and a configuration interaction method involving Pauli-Fock atomic orbitals (CIPF). Through the PF method we include relativistic effects on the atomic orbitals; the CIPF method was designed to take into account the important electron correlation effects which are found to be essential for obtaining good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results.