Benchmark calculations for electron impact ionization and ionization-excitation of magnesium

Abstract

We compare results of various numerical calculations for electron impact ionization of the ground state Mg (3s2) leading to the final ionic ground state Mg+(3s) or the excited ionic states Mg+(3p, 4s, 3d). Although our numerical results exhibit some model dependence, especially for small values of the triple-differential cross section, we cannot resolve the significant differences between experiment and theory reported by Bolognesi et al (2008 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 41 065203). Extensive theoretical modelling allows us to identify possible sources of this strong disagreement and to suggest future investigations.