Multiplet effects on the widths of photoelectron peaks

Abstract

The Auger-transition rate is determined for multiplets formed by coupling $s$ or $p$ holes to partially filled $d$ shells. The Auger transitions considered are $s-pd$, $s-d^2$, $p-sd$, and $p-d^2$. A sum rule for Auger transitions involving two electrons from a partially filled shell is obtained. Transition rates are evaluated for atoms with ${\mathrm{}\left(3d\right)\mathrm{}}^n$ and ${\mathrm{}\left(4d\right)\mathrm{}}^n$ configurations. It is shown for elements with almost filled $4d$ shells that the $N_1$ and $N_{2,3}$ decay rates are large, leading to widths on the order of 10 eV. For the ${}_{}{}^5{}_{}{}^{}S$ and ${}_{}{}^7{}_{}{}^{}S$ multiplets created by adding a $3s$ hole to an ion with a ${\mathrm{}\left(d\right)\mathrm{}}^5{}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}S$ ground-state configuration the calculated widths are significantly different, in contrast to the experimental observation of approximately equality of widths. It is shown that inclusion of configuration interaction with the continuum enhances the disagreement between calculation and experiment. However, including configuration interaction with discrete states removes the disagreement between calculation and experiment.