A Fully Relativistic Approach to Photon Scattering and Photoionization of Alkali Atoms

Abstract

A fully relativistic approach to calculating photoionization and photon-atom scattering cross sections for quasi one-electron atoms is presented. An extensive set of photoionization cross sections have been calculated for alkali atoms: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium. The importance of relativistic effects and core polarization on the depth and position of the Cooper minimum in the photoionization cross section is investigated. Good agreement was found with previous Dirac-based B-spline R-matrix calculations of Zatsarinny and Tayal and recent experimental results.