Excitation Dynamics of the 5p^6 Auger Spectra in Ba + e^– Collisions

Abstract

The ionization of the 5p6 subshell in Ba atoms has been studied in an electron-impact energy range 23–105 eV by measuring the Auger spectra arising from the decay of the 5p5nln′l′ states. The energy dependences of the ionization cross-section have been obtained for nine states in the 5p55d2, 5p55d6s and 5p56s2 configurations. The analysis of the behavior of the cross-sections made it possible to determine the role of direct and indirect ionization processes involved in the 5p6 ionization of the Ba atom.