Auger decay of core-excited higher Rydberg states of carbon monoxide

Abstract

The de-excitation of higher core-excited Rydberg states of carbon monoxide has been studied. It is found that already with a main quantum number of 4 or higher, Rydberg states of p-symmetry can be successfully treated within the single-particle hydrogenic model for both the core-excited and the final states. From a study of the binding energy of the Rydberg electron in the final state versus the core-excited state, the importance of relaxation in the core-excited intermediate state is shown. Also, for core-excited Rydberg states with main quantum number of 5 or higher, an almost total quenching of strict spectator lines in the de-excitation spectra is observed.