TheL 2-L 3 Coster-Kronig transition probability at Z=96

Abstract

The total probability f23 for the L 2 -L 3 Coster-Kronig transition at Z = 96 was measured by the L~-K .... x-ray coincidence technique with a 249Cf radioactive source. The value at Z = 96 was found to be f23 = 0.209 + 0.022 (2 a, 95 ~o confidence). This result is in agreement within the 2a error limits with previous measurements which range from 0.188 to 0.226, and this spread cannot be reduced by improvements in the experimental technique primarily because of the large correction required for the effect of nuclear cascading in 249Cf decay.