Partial photoionization cross sections and angular distribution asymmetry parameters for atomic xenon have been calculated in the relativistic random-phase approximation for 26 jj-coupled channels over a wide range of energies (0 -1 keV). The effects of relaxation on the 4d and 3d cross sections are examined by using a modification of the relativistic random-phase approximation that calculates excited-state orbitals in the potential of the relaxed ion. Results are compared with Hartree-Fock theory, with the nonrelativistic random-phase approximation, and with recent photoemission experiments.

A new and explicitly many-body aspect of the "leveraging" of the spin-orbit interaction is demonstrated, spin-orbit activated interchannel coupling, which can significantly alter the photoionization cross section of a spin-orbit doublet. As an example, it is demonstrated via a modified version of the spin-polarized random phase approximation with exchange, that a recently observed unexplained structure in the Xe 3d(5/2) photoionization cross section [A. Kivimäki et al., Phys. Rev. A 63, 012716 (2000)] is entirely due to this effect. Similar features are predicted for Cs 3d(5/2) and Ba 3d(5/2).

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