Calculation of Auto-Ionization Rates

Abstract

A method has been formulated to calculate auto-ionization rates by perturbation theory with no internal inconsistencies. Calculations have been carried out in ${\mathrm{}\left(2s\right)\mathrm{}}^2{}_{}{}^1{}_{}{}^{}S$ He, $(2s, 2p){}_{}{}^{1,3}{}_{}{}^{}P$ He, $(1s, 2s, 2p){}_{}{}^4{}_{}{}^{}P_{\frac{5}{2}}^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ Li, and $(1s, 2s, 2p){}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}P_{\pm }^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ Li. The applicability of this formulation, as well as how it differs from previous perturbation methods, is discussed.