Cross sections for photoabsorption and 3p44s,3d satellite production at energies of the doubly excited Ar 3p4(3P)4s2P3/2,1/2np resonances

The photoabsorption of Ar is studied experimentally and theoretically for energies between 32.5 eV and 33.0 eV. Resonant excitation and autoionization of doubly excited 3p4(3P)4s2P3/2,1/2np Rydberg states are observed as dominant mechanism to populate doublet and quartet satellites of the 3p44s, 3d configurations. The perturbation of the Rydberg series by promoter states is reproduced by the calculations. Measured and calculated cross sections for the strong decay channels are in good agreement. A mirror behaviour of the 3s vacancy creation and the satellite production and the influence of the radiative decay of high-lying Rydberg states on the shape of a satellite threshold are manifested.