Decay ofHg203:L-Subshell Fluorescence Yields and Coster-Kronig Transition Probabilities of Tl

Abstract

Thallium $L$-subshell fluorescence yields and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities are determined by observing $L$ x rays in coincidence with $K{\alpha }_1$ x rays, $K{\alpha }_2$ x rays, and $L$-conversion electrons following the $\beta$ decay of ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{203}$ to the 279-keV level in ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{203}$. High-resolution Si(Li) and Ge(Li) detectors are employed. The following results are obtained: ${\nu }_1=0.280\mathrm{}\pm 0.010$, ${\omega }_1=0.07\mathrm{}\pm 0.02$, $f_{12}=0.14\mathrm{}\pm 0.03$, $f_{13}=0.56\mathrm{}\pm 0.05$, ${\nu }_2=0.371\mathrm{}\pm 0.010$, ${\omega }_2=0.319\mathrm{}\pm 0.010$, $f_{23}=0.169\mathrm{}\pm 0.010$, and ${\omega }_3=0.306\mathrm{}\pm 0.010$. Angular correlations between $K{\alpha }_1$ and $L$ x rays are studied and the following values are obtained for $A_2$ in the relation $W\left(\theta \right)=1+A_2{P}_2\left(cos\theta \right):0.05\mathrm{}\pm 0.03$ for $L\alpha$ x rays, 0.26±0.05 for $\mathrm{Ll}$ x rays. No angular correlation is found between $K{\alpha }_1$ and $L\beta$ x rays. The $L$-x-ray emission rates from $L_2$- and $L_3$-subshell vacancies are compared with the recent calculations by Scofield.