A critical compilation of experimental data on the 1s2l2l′ core-excited states of Li-like ions from carbon to uranium

Abstract

Recent advance in calculations of energy levels of the 1s2l2l′ core-excited states for ions along the Li isoelectronic sequence from carbon to uranium suggested that theoretical predictions for the 1s22l-1s2l2l′ transitions are significantly more precise than most of the experimental results available today and can thus be used for calibrating measured X-ray spectra. This suggestion is verified in the present work by comparison with benchmark experimental results. We present a critical compilation of all available experimental data on the energy levels of the 1s2l2l′ core-excited states of Li-like ions. The compiled experimental data include uncertainty estimates, which allowed proper weighted averaging and comparison with theoretical calculations. This comparison confirmed the supremacy of the most advanced theoretical calculations of the 1s2l2l′ levels over the best experimental results available today.