Studies of autoionizing states relevant to dielectronic recombination

In the past year we have focused most of our effort on the study of the 3pnl autoionizing states of Mg. Specifically, we have measured the angular distributions of electrons ejected from these states, we have carried out theoretical analyses of the experimentally determined angular distributions, and we have also made measurements of the autoionization rates of Mg 3pnk Stark states in electric fields. Finally, we have recorded the spectra of the autoionizing Ba 6pnk Stark states with very high optical powers to see the fine details in the wings of the spectra. Each of these activities is described in more detail in the ensuing paragraphs