Photoionization of excited atomic states: Effects of the initial wave functions

Photoionization calculations of the first excited $d$ states of the alkali-metal atoms are performed within the Hartree-Fock approximation with full exchange. Effects of the variation of the asymptote of the initial excited-state wave functions on the photoionization cross sections are studied. Results are presented indicating that a small inaccuracy in the asymptote of the excited-state wave function leads to a disagreement between length and velocity results, the latter being more reliable. It is recommended that both the length and velocity results be reported to indicate the accuracy of calculations.