Testing of QED theory on the Rydberg series for the He-like multicharged ions

Abstract

The paper examines the 1/Z expansion method in calculating the energy levels, ionization energies, and wavelengths of the resonant Rydberg states 1snp 1P1 for atoms belonging to the helium isoelectronic sequence. The interactions of the bound electrons are treated as a perturbation that results in the electron–electron Breit interaction, relativistic corrections, and quantum electrodynamic (QED) contributions. By comparing the calculated wavelengths with a number of observed wavelengths, the QED contributions to the ground state are analyzed. PACS Nos.: 31.20Di, 31.20Tz, 31.30Jv, 31.50+W