Comprehensive calculations of 4pand 4dlifetimes for the Cu sequence

Computed lifetimes for the 4p ${}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}P_{1/2}^{}{}_{}{}^{}$, 4$p^2$ $P_{3/2}$, 4d ${}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}D_{3/2}^{}{}_{}{}^{}$, and 4$d^2$ $D_{5/2}$ levels in the copper isoelectronic sequence are presented for atomic numbers Z=29–92. These calculations agree well with recent high-precision lifetime measurements, conflict with the isoelectronic trend of single-configuration Dirac-Fock calculations, and agree at lower Z with the multiplet values of multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock calculations using experimental transition energies. Our calculations involve the inclusion of experimental energy-level data and the use of a Hartree-Slater potential to represent the ionic core. It is found that the core-polarization effects are significant and must be included to obtain agreement with experiment, at least for the lower members of the isoelectronic sequence. As part of the study, we have combined semiempirical parametrizations of the existing database with Dirac-Fock calculations to produce a set of values for the ionization potentials and the 4p and 4d excitation energies for all stable ions in this sequence.