Electron-impact ionization of metastable neon

Ionization out of metastable states can dominate the total electron-impact ionization rate for many atomic systems. However, there have been few advanced close-coupling calculations of ionization of metastable atoms. In this paper, we report on an R -matrix with pseudostates (RMPS) calculation of ionization from the 2p 5 3s 3 P term of neon. Within the experimental systematic uncertainties, our RMPS cross section is in agreement with the measurements by Johnston et al ( 1996 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 29 531 ) for ionization from the 3 P 0 and 3 P 2 metastable levels. In addition, we have carried out a configuration-average time-dependent close-coupling (TDCC) calculation of ionization from the 2p 5 3s configuration of neon and we find that the TDCC results agree well with RMPS cross sections, further supporting the accuracy of these advanced close-coupling methods. Finally, we have performed a distorted-wave calculation of the ionization cross section of metastable neon, and by comparing it with the RMPS results, we assess the effects of inter-channel coupling on this cross section.