Dynamics of the helium atom close to the full fragmentation threshold: Double ionization

A complete set of cross sections is presented for photodouble ionization of He at 0.1 eV above the threshold. Special care is taken to clear the asymmetry parameter and the energy differential cross section of any ionization-excitation contribution. As a result, their limiting behaviors for the fully asymmetric partitionings of the excess energy are elucidated, thus shedding light on pending discussions in the field. A reliable scheme follows for computing the fully integrated cross section. Very good agreement is observed between the calculated and measured fully differential cross sections after a detailed reassessment of the experimental normalization procedure. The present findings are compared with the assumptions underlying the Wannier picture of near-threshold double escape.