Many-electron correlations in the photoionization of a nitrogen atom

Photoionization cross sections for the outer shell of the nitrogen atom ground state are calculated in the single-particle Hartree–Fock approximation and, in order to take into account many-electron correlations, also in the Random Phase Approximation with Exchange (RPAE). To be able to apply the RPAE, its modification for the half-filled shell atom, such as nitrogen atom, is presented. Calculation of length and velocity forms of the cross section in both approximations are compared with the available experimental data, and a good agreement is obtained. It has been found that in the RPAE the influence of many-electron correlations in a nitrogen atom is not great, but it is very important since, in contrast to the Hartree–Fock approximation, it results in the validity of the sum rule and the coincidence of the length and velocity forms of the cross sections, in agreement with the requirement of the general theory. The angular distribution of photoelectrons is also calculated in the RPAE, which has not been measured so far.