A comparison of theory and experiment for photo-ionization cross-sections I. Neon and the elements from boron to neon

Abstract

The quantal theory of the continuous photo-electric absorption of radiation is briefly summarized, pàrticular attention being given to the alternative formulae available and to the accuracy to be expected in practical calculations. Detailed calculations are described for the photo-ionization cross-section of neon, a system for which it is understood that experimental data should be available in the near future. The calculation is made using Hartree-Fock wave functions and the two formulae of the dipole length and the dipole velocity. The corresponding cross-sections are found to be 5.8 and 4.4 x 10- 18 cm 2 . at the spectral head and to rise slowly with increasing frequency until a broad maximum is reached for an energy of the ejected electron of about 11 eV. A comparison is made with previous calculations on the elements from boron to neon ; the general trend of the results is discussed and improved estimates for boron and fluorine are given (10 x 10 -18 cm 2 . for boron and 4.3 x 10- 18 cm 2 . for fluorine at the spectral head).