First Experimental Determination and Theoretical Calculation of Partial Photoionization Cross Sections of Lithium over the Energy Region of Hollow Atomic States

Photoelectron spectrometry has been used for the first time to study autoionization of photoexcited hollow lithium atoms into the various continua of the Li⁺ ion. Absolute values of the partial photoionization cross sections have been determined. The R-matrix approximation has also been used to calculate the energies of the hollow states as well as all partial photoionization cross sections. Experimental and theoretical results are in very good agreement.