Photoionization mass spectrometry of neon using synchrotron radiation: Anomalous variation of resonance widths in the noble gases

Autoionization structure between the 2P3/2 and 2P1/2 ion thresholds of Ne has been measured. The spectrum appears qualitatively different from the corresponding spectra of the heavier noble gases. This is partly due to a progressive narrowing of the d-resonance width in the lighter noble gases. However, when analyzed in terms of the parameter (n*)3Γ, an anomalous behavior is noted, this parameter being larger for xenon than krypton, larger for argon than neon, but distinctly larger for argon than krypton. An analysis of the factors contributing to the resonance widths is presented. Variations in the quantum defects of the s and d series of the noble gases are presented for future analysis.