Calculation of autoionization rates for high-angular-momentum Rydberg states

The authors demonstrate that, for excited-core Rydberg states of high angular momentum $l$, a simple relationship exists between the autoionization rate and the quantum defect of the corresponding ground-core state. For many cases, both quantities can be expressed in terms of the dipole polarizability of the core. The autoionization rates of the excited-core Sr ($5\mathrm{pnl}$) states are calculated as an example, and compared to existing experimental data.