Excitation-autoionization cross sections and rate coefficients of Zn-like ions

Detailed level-by-level calculations of the excitation-autoionization (EA) cross sections and rate coefficients were performed using the relativistic distorted-wave method along the Zn isoelectronic sequence for all the elements with 34⩽Z⩽92. While in a previous work only the 3d-4l inner-shell collisional excitations were taken into account, the present calculations also include excitations to higher configurations: [Formula Presented]nl (n=4 to 7) and [Formula Presented][Formula Presented]nl (n=4,5). An extrapolation method is used to evaluate the total contribution for the higher principal quantum numbers. Configuration mixing and secondary autoionization processes following radiative decay from autoionizing levels are also included. The results show that the total EA rate is dominant compared to the direct ionization rate, up to a factor 12 at Z=47. The additional inner-shell excitations for Z<59 produce an increase in the EA effect varying from 25% to almost a factor of 2, with respect to the previously predicted EA effect through 3d-4l only. The excitations to the higher configurations are the most significant for heavy elements with Z⩾61, since they open EA channels, resulting in an EA rate which varies along the sequence from 4 to 1 times the direct-ionization rate.