The resonant-Auger decay in argon following M i s -np excitations was studied under resonant-Raman conditions, i.e., with a total instrumental bandwidth much narrower than the natural linewidth of the absorption features. These state-of-the-art experiments are combined with a radiationless resonant-Raman scattering theory. The main results include identification of the energy position of some high-lying Rydberg states previously masked by insufficient resolution and clear evidence of electronic-state-lifetime interference phenomena.

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Single and double Auger processes following ionization of 4 / and 5p inner shells have been studied using multielectron coincidence spectroscopy. Coincidence technique enables us to resolve state by state all single and double Auger paths with a resolution better than the lifetime broadening. Drastic step-to-step decay lifetime changes are observed and reported as Coster-Kronig transition takes place either in the first (5p) or in the second ( 4 /) step of the Auger cascade. Relativistic ab initio theory has been used to predict and interpret the experimental observations.