Reinterpretation of the recently measured absolute generalized oscillator strength for the Ar3p-4p transition

The recent experimental observation of the absolute generalized oscillator strength (GOS) for the Ar 3p-(4p,4p^′) nondipole transition has been interpreted as a manifestation of quadrupole excitation [X. W. Fan and K. T. Leung, Phys. Rev. A 62, 062703 (2000)]. Contrary to the experimentalists’ assignment, on the grounds of our random-phase-approximation with exchange (RPAE) calculation, we attribute the measured GOS to combined monopole, the dominant component, and quadrupole contributions. Our RPAE GOS’s for the Ar dipole 3p-4s and 3p-3d,5s and the lowest nondipole transitions are compared with the measurements. The results could have significant implications for other similar transitions, previously interpreted as quadrupole excitation and for interpreting other discrete transitions.