Atomic Readjustment to an Inner-Shell Vacancy: ManganeseKX-Ray Emission Spectra from anFe55K-Capture Source and from the Bulk Metal

Abstract

A comparison is made between manganese $K{\alpha }_{1,2}$ and $K{\beta }_{1,3}$ x-ray emission lines with initial states produced (a) by electron bombardment (EB) of a metal anode at 13 and 15 keV and (b) by $K$ capture (KC) in ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{55}$. The lines in each case have, within experimental accuracy, the same energy position, width, asymmetry, and relative intensity. The complex $K{\beta }^{\prime }$ secondary structure on the low-energy side of $K{\beta }_{1,3}$ is also independent of the means of production of the initial state. It is argued that $K$ capture leads to an essentially pure, single-hole, relaxed ground state and that the probability of multiple hole production is negligibly small. From the comparison of the spectra, it is concluded that upon the production of a $K$ hole by a low-energy knockout process, the state formed with highest probability is the ground state for the system with a $K$ hole, and that this state is formed in a time short compared to its lifetime. Differences between KC and EB spectra would exhibit the effects of either incomplete readjustment and/or multiple hole production. Various mechanisms leading to multiple hole production are qualitatively discussed in terms of previous experimental observations of emission and absorption spectra.