Auger effect for the L level of xenon and krypton

Abstract

While a number of investigations have been carried out to determine the efficiency of emission of K series fluorescent radiation from various elements,* * * § only two determinations have been made of the L yield, that is the efficiency o f emission o f L series radiation. r Some years ago Auger,f using an expansion chamber, investigated the L yield for the two inert gases krypton and xenon, and recently Lay4 using a photographic method, has determined this quantity for certain elements between atomic number 40 and 92. The results of the two investigations are not consistent, the values found by Auger for the L yields of krypton and xenon being much greater (100% and more) than the values for these gases given by interpolating and extrapolating the data published by Lay for neighbouring elements.As pointed out in a previous paper, § the expansion chamber has the advantage that values o f the efficiency of excitation can be calculated by a direct count, the only problem being the identification of tracks. In the present problem this presents little difficulty as the tracks are o f two types, with and without a spur at their origins. Ionization and photo graphic methods yield values, the accuracy of which ultimately depends on the accuracy of existing absorption data, and in general where these exist the agreement between different workers leaves much to be desired. The difficulties of these methods will be discussed later.In the present work measurements o f the L yield for xenon and krypton have been repeated since these gases give spur tracks (due to internal conversion) which are sufficiently long to be readily recognized. Further, experience in the past has shown that they behave well in an expansion chamber.