Calculation of the lifetimes for Rydberg states of Li by B-spline approach

Abstract

Until now calculations of the radiative lifetimes of Rydberg atoms have mainly involved the states with principal quantum number n ≤ 80. In this paper, we calculate the lifetimes of the nS, nP, and nD states of Li with n up to 145 at temperatures 0, 77, 300 and 600 K using a B-spline and model potentials. The results of the calculations agree well with the existing theoretical values. In addition, we obtain the anticipated scaling laws of the radiative lifetimes, for the S, P, and D states, respectively by a fitting, and analyze the physical natures based on the relationship.