High resolution threshold photoelectron spectra of neon and argon in the valence satellite region

Abstract

Using a newly designed zerovolt-electron spectrometer, high resolution threshold photoelectron spectra of neon above the 2s and of argon above the 3s photoelectron thresholds were taken following excitation with synchrotron radiation. From these spectra we were able to derive quantitatively the multiplet splitting of two neon satellites and almost all argon photoelectron satellites up to 38eV. Strong deviations from statistical behavior of most multiplet components were found. This unusual behavior is explained by autoionization of double-excited neutral states into the continuum of the satellite states just above threshold.