Ne, Ar, Fe, and Cu Auger-electron production at National Synchrotron Light Source

Abstract

Energetic K and L Auger electrons produced by focussed, filtered, broad-band synchrotron radiation have been measured at the X-ray ring of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). The X-ray beam was used to study inner-shell photoionization of Ne and Ar gas and Fe and Cu solid film targets. The Auger electrons were analyzed by means of a semihemispherical electrostatic electron spectrometer at the energy resolution of ∼ 3%. The electrons were detected at both 90° and 0° with respect to the photon beam direction. Broad distributions of the inner-shell photoelectrons were also observed, reflecting the incoming photon flux distribution. The Fe and Cu K Auger electron spectra were found to be very similar to the Ar K Auger electron spectra. This was expected, since deep inner-shell Auger processes are not affected by the other valence electrons. Above 3 keV in electron energy, there have been few previous Auger electron measurements.