Abstract
Exploratory calculations of atomic photoionisation cross sections including both relativistic and correlation effects are undertaken using the relativistic random-phase approximation (RRPA). In these preliminary calculations we examine the photoionisation of He and Be atoms. The cross sections and asymmetry parameters for these light elements agree precisely with non-relativistic RPA values. Elastic phaseshifts for the e- + He' and e- + Be' systems are obtained and agree with non-relativistic calculations in the 'P eigenchannel; our 3P phaseshifts have no counterpart in non-relativistic theory.