L-subshell ionisation of Au by light-ion impact

Abstract

The Au L X-radiation induced by He, Li, Be, C, O, Ne, Si and S ion impact has been investigated for impact energies ranging from 0.23 to 6.7 MeV u-1. From the intensities of the L alpha , L gamma 1 and L gamma 2,3,6 lines the L-subshell ionisation cross section ratios have been derived. The results are compared with measurements of other groups. Since cross section results depend critically on the procedure used in the data analysis, data from other groups were re-evaluated, if necessary, in order to apply a consistent procedure. After that, reasonable agreement among the various sets of experimental cross sections is found. Comparisons with state-of-the-art theories reveal systematic discrepancies. These are attributed to systematic errors in the atomic parameters used in the data analysis as well as to a failure of the ionisation theories employed.