Relative Level Populations in S VI after Beam-Foil Excitation, Obtained from ANDC Analyses of Measured Decay Curves

This paper reports the relative population of the levels 3 p , 3 d , 4 d , 5 d , 4 f , 5 g , 6 g , 6 h , 7 h , 7 i , 8 i and 8 k in Na-like sulfur, S VI, after beam-foil excitation at an energy of 3 MeV. For the first time the ANDC technique has been used to obtain the relative efficiency calibration of the detection system at discrete points in the wavelength interval 400-5000 Å, from the analyses of measured decay curves. The advantages and limitations of this method are discussed. The populations obtained with this new technique are compared to previous measurements in multiply ionized atoms. The preferential population of the 3 p and 3 d levels observed in other Na-like ions is now accurately established. For the higher lying levels an almost constant population is observed.