For the investigation of electron-electron correlation in atoms, the complete understanding, both experimental and theoretical, of its influence in helium is indispensable. For the past two years the investigators have been engaged in an experimental and theoretical program to analyze this correlation. The process which is examined is the photoionization to produce the n=2 level of the He+ ion. Through a measurement of the alignment of the 2P3/2 state, the additional experiment necessary to determine the partial cross sections for production of all continuum state contributing to the ionization has been performed at two energies. This parameter will be measured throughout the energy region from the n=2 to the n=3 ionization limits, with special attention to the 3s3p resonance at 69.9 eV. In support of the experimental program a theoretical calculation of the alignment using hyperspherical coordinates will be carried out. A transformation of the alpha-coordinate allows solution of the angular equations using a series expansion. This simplifies the numerical procedures and allows calculation of more accurate channel functions and coupling parameters. The alignment and electron angular distribution parameter beta will be calculated, as well as the accuracy with which calculations using this technique can be made and the scattering phase shifts for the e- + H system.
