M4,5N6,7XAuger spectra of free Yb atoms

Abstract

${M}_{4,5}{N}_{6,7}X$ ($X={N}_{6,7} or {O}_{2,3}$)-type normal and vacancy satellite Auger spectra of atomic ytterbium have been measured with the use of electron impact excitation. The main Auger spectra have been analyzed and compared with the calculated results. The relative energies and intensities of the lines have been calculated in the nonrelativistic mixed-coupling scheme applying $\mathrm{jj}$ coupling to the initial and the intermediate coupling to the final states of the Auger transitions. The kinetic energies have also been calculated in the relativistic intermediate coupling with the use of the Dirac-Fock program of Grant . The experimental intensity ratio between the ${M}_{5}$ and ${M}_{4}$ line groups is found to be 3.0, which deviates strongly from the statistical ratio 1.5 due to ${M}_{4}{M}_{5}X$ Coster-Kronig processes. For the same reason, a strong satellite structure appears also at the low-energy side of the main ${M}_{5}{N}_{6,7}{N}_{6,7}$ line group.