Photoionization of metal atoms: Complete experiments and double ionization

A brief review is presented of experimental work carried out at the Daresbu ry Laboratory Synchrotron Radiation Source on the so-called complete photoi onization experiment on strontium atoms. Recent results, for the case where LS coupling is not a valid assumption, are included. The same equipment ha s also been adapted for double ionization measurements on metal vapours, an d preliminary measurements on calcium atoms are shown which challenge curre nt theoretical descriptions of this process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.