1998/08/19 by G. F. Gribakin, Gribakin, G. F., A. A. Gribakina +3
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Chemical Physics Studies #Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications #Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies #physics.atom-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/9808025
10 pages including 5 figures, REVTEX, submitted to PRL (July 1998)
arxiv created 1998/08/19 · openalex publication_date 1998/08/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We show that the spectrum and eigenstates of open-shell multicharged atomic ions near the ionization threshold are chaotic, as a result of extremely high level densities of multiply excited electron states (1000 levels per eV in Au 24+) and a strong configuration mixing. This complexity enables one to use statistical methods to analyze the system. The orbital occupation numbers obey the Fermi-Dirac distribution, and temperature can be introduced. We show that radiative capture of electrons through the multielectron resonant states is strongly enhanced compared to the direct radiative recombination.