Cu atoms have been prepared in the Ni-like Cu 3d(9)4s(2) state by uv-laser
pumping. In contrast to the ground-state atoms, the Cu 3d(9)4s(2) atoms exh
ibit a prominent asymmetric resonance in the 3d(-1) partial cross section a
t the 3p threshold. A close similarity to the corresponding resonance in th
e spectrum of Ni 3d(9)4s atoms is demonstrated. [S1050-2947(99)50808-1].