Photoionization of helium-like ions in asymptotic non-relativistic region

The cross section for single K-shell ionization by a high-energy photon is evaluated in the next-to-leading order of the non-relativistic perturbation theory with respect to the electron-electron interaction. The screening corrections are of particular importance for light helium-like ions. Even in the case of neutral He atom, our analytical predictions turn out to be in good agreement with the numerical calculations performed with the use of sophisticated wave functions. The universal high-energy behavior is studied for the ratio of double-to-single photoionization cross sections. We also discuss the fast convergence of the perturbation theory over the reversed nuclear charge number 1/Z. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.