Effects of configuration mixing inM1 andE2 transitions between ground-state terms of sulfurlike ions

Magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transition rates for S-like ions between ground-state terms have been calculated using multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wave functions. Sudden changes were found in these transition rates from one element to the next where there is a change of the dominant configuration. Also, ordering of the levels changes as the nuclear charge increases, but this is not necessarily reflected as a sudden change in transition rates. Our results demonstrate the necessity of using multiconfiguration calculations in the study of the systematics of transition rates along isoelectronic sequences.