Effect of continuum configuration interaction on the position of sp^6 in neutral chlorine and other halogens*

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Abstract
Ab initio Hartree—Fock calculations in the single-configuration approximation predict that the 3s 3p6 2S½ level of Cl I lies far above the ionization limit, although this level is observed to be the lowest of all even J = 1/2 levels other than 3s2 3p4 4s4P½, 2P½. The solution of this anomaly lies in configuration interaction with the high-lying portion of the 3s2 3p4 ∊d2S½ continuum, which is sufficiently strong to depress the computed s p6 level to its observed position. This interaction with the continuum is an extension of the well-known interaction of spω + 1 with the discrete s2pω - 1nd Rydberg series, and is important in all neutral third-row elements Al to Cl, as well as in Br and I and probably other fourth- and fifth-row elements. The effect is, however, somewhat smaller in Br 1 and I 1 than in Cl 1, with the result that there exists no bromine nor iodine level that is primarily sp6 in nature. The interactions produce large changes in computed transition probabilities and photoionization cross sections.