Radiation Probabilities, Auger Effect and Energy Level Widths for Au(79)

Abstract

The theory of energy level widths developed by Weisskopf and Wigner and by Wentzel is applied to the calculation of the energy level widths of Au(79). Radiation and Auger transition probabilities are determined separately with the aid of numerically integrated nonrelativistic eigenfunctions, the latter being calculated for electrons moving in the Fermi-Thomas field of Tl${\mathrm{}\left(81\right)\mathrm{}}^{++}$. Sources of error are considered, the major one being the nonrelativistic treatment. The band width due to the interaction of electrons in different atoms in the crystal lattice does not add materially to the level width of the $O_{\mathrm{I}}$ and lower states. Except for the $K$ state, the Auger contribution to the width exceeds that of the radiation transitions. Where the majority of the significant Auger effects have been calculated ($L_{\mathrm{I}},M_{\mathrm{I}},N_{\mathrm{I}}$) the total calculated width is found to be appreciably in excess of the observed width, but of the same order. The results confirm the view that the contributions of radiation transitions and Auger effects to the level widths of the initial and final states of the atom suffice to explain the magnitude of the widths of the x-ray lines emitted by the heavy elements.