Calculations of 2plifetimes in the Li sequence

Lifetime predictions for the 2p ${}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1/2}$ and 2p ${}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ levels in the lithium isoelectronic sequence have been computed for atomic numbers Z=3–92 using the semiempirical Coulomb approximation with a Hartree-Slater core. This extends our earlier studies of the sodium and copper sequences, and the results agree well with critically selected experimental lifetime measurements. The calculations involve the inclusion of experimental energy level, ionization potential, and core-polarizability data, and we also report here a comprehensive and reliable data base developed through semiempirical parametrizations of spectroscopic measurements and ab initio calculations.