Lifetimes of singly excited states in He I

We report a comprehensive set of calculations of the Rydberg-state lifetimes in the helium atom, using a realistic potential to represent the atomic core. The effects due to blackbody radiation are explicitly included. The overall results compare well with experiment for all principal quantum numbers examined and should provide guidance for future experimental investigations. They are used here to single out incorrect experimental determinations of lifetimes. Our calculated oscillator strengths are in excellent agreement with predictions of previous and very sophisticated calculations.