Initial- and final-state correlation in the valence-shell Auger spectrum of Rb

The M4,5NO and M4,5NN Auger spectra in Rb have been studied both experimentally and theoretically in order to understand the effect of the outermost 5s electron on the valence-shell hole states in Rb. Transition energies were obtained from extensive multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations and the line intensities from our relativistic single-channel Auger-rate code. The M4,5NO transitions were reproduced by intermediate-coupling calculations quite well indicating that the initial-state correlation with the 5s electron present is weak. For the M4,5NN transitions our single-channel calculations revealed dramatic effects of the 5s electron on the configuration interaction in the final ionic states. Even the most elaborate calculations failed, however, to give a basis for complete identification of the observed spectral features.