Electron-impact ionization of the Pb atom

Abstract

Abstract Electron-impact ionization cross sections are calculated for the ground configuration of the Pb atom. Time-dependent close-coupling cross sections for the direct ionization of the 6s and 6p subshells leading to single ionization are calculated with and without a polarization potential. Configuration-average distorted-wave cross sections for the direct ionization of the 6s and 6p subshells leading to single ionization are also calculated with and without a polarization potential. We find the time-dependent close-coupling cross sections using a polarization potential to be in good agreement with convergent-close-coupling cross sections using a polarization potential. The total direct ionization cross sections are compared to two sets of experimental measurements. The differences between the direct ionization cross sections and the experimental measurements are mainly due to indirect ionization cross sections coming from the $$6s^2 6p^2 \rightarrow 6s 6p^3$$ 6 s 2 6 p 2 → 6 s 6 p 3 excitation followed by autoionization. GraphicAbstract