The Satellites ofM-Series X-ray Lines

Abstract

Four satellites of the diagram line $M{\alpha }_1$ have been measured in the range of atomic numbers from U (92) to Yb (70). Two of these satellites have not been reported previously. Three satellites of the diagram line $M\beta$ have been measured in the range of atomic numbers from U (92) to Gd (64). Two of these satellites have not been reported previously. Superposition of the semi-Moseley graphs for the satellites of $M{\alpha }_1$ and $M\beta$, gives rise to the suggestion that perhaps both x-ray lines are modified by the same optical lines. All these observed satellites obey the "Moseley" law,—the data giving a straight line within experimental error. The semi-Moseley graph of the satellite $M{\beta }^{\mathrm{ii}}$ shows a significant break at atomic number 70. The satellites of $M{\alpha }_1$ vanish at Er (68), coincident with the splitting of the $M{\alpha }_1$ line into three components at this place, i.e. at atomic number 68. The range of values of $\frac{\Delta \nu }{R}$, between satellite and parent line, is from 0.1 to 2.0, in agreement with the results of previous workers, for the satellites of $K$ and of $L$ series lines. A peculiar continuous spectrum accompanies the satellites of $M{\alpha }_1$ and $M\beta$ for the elements U (92) and Th (90).