Bell and Seaton's ab initio theory of dielectronic recombination is extended to include the influence of arbitrary electric fields in the $S$ matrix. Rydberg series of resonances are treated in quantum-defect-Stark theory. The zero-field rate of an $n$, $m$ manifold is enhanced up to a factor $\frac{({\Gamma }_R+{\Gamma }_A)}{\left(\frac{{\Gamma }_R+{\Gamma }_A}{n}\right)}$ as seen in a simple model. Previously ignored interference effects reduce the enhancement for interacting manifolds.

• Received 19 September 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.57.1570