2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/87572We show that the spectrum and eigenstates of open-shell multicharged atomic ions near the ionization threshold are chaotic, as a result of extremely high level densities of multiply excited electron states (1000 levels per eV in Au 24+) and a strong configuration mixing. This complexity enables one to use statistical methods to analyze the system. The orbital occupation numbers obey the Fermi-Dirac distribution, and temperature can be introduced. We show that radiative capture of electrons through the multielectron resonant states is strongly enhanced compared to the direct radiative recombination.10 pages including 5 figures, REVTEX, submitted to PRL (July 1998)Atomic Physicstext