Investigation of valence inter-multiplet Auger transitions in Ne following 1s photoelectron recapture

Abstract

We employ a novel technique in which highly excited Rydberg states of Ne+ 2p4np are populated via PCI-induced recapture of the near-threshold 1s photoelectron (De Fanis et al 2004 Phys. Rev. A 70 040702) to investigate valence inter-multiplet Auger transitions. The following series of the transitions have been observed: Ne+ 2p4(1D)np 2L → Ne2+ 2p4 3PJ, Ne+ 2p4(1S)np 2P →Ne2+ 2p4 3PJ and Ne+ 2p4(1S)np 2P →Ne2+ 2p4 1D. Their energy positions, quantum defects and the anisotropy parameters of the Auger electron emission have been determined. Experimental results are in good agreement with multi-configuration Dirac–Fock calculations carried out as a part of this study. The importance of interference effects for decays via naturally overlapping fine-structure components of the intermediate state is discussed.