Negative-continuum effects on the two-photon decay rates of hydrogenlike ions

Andrey Surzhykov, José Paulo Santos, Pedro Amaro, Paul Indelicato

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two-photon decay of hydrogenlike ions is studied within the framework of second-order perturbation theory, based on the relativistic Dirac's equation. Special attention is paid to the effects arising from the summation over the negative-energy (intermediate virtual) states that occur in such a framework. In order to investigate the role of these states, detailed calculations have been carried out for the 2 s1/2 →1 s1/2 and 2 p1/2 →1 s1/2 transitions in neutral hydrogen H as well as for hydrogenlike xenon Xe53+ and uranium U91+ ions. We found that for a correct evaluation of the total and energy-differential decay rates, summation over the negative-energy part of Dirac's spectrum should be properly taken into account both for high- Z and low- Z atomic systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number052511
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume80
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2009

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Negative-continuum effects on the two-photon decay rates of hydrogenlike ions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this