Double ionization following the 3d5/2to 5p excitation in Kr

The relaxation of the Kr* 3d -1 ( 2 D 5/2 )5p resonant state was investigated by combining ion yield, photoelectron spectroscopy and electron/ion coincidence experiments. Kr 2+ formation was found to be the main decay path (73% probability); its formation happens through a single step route (22% of the de-excitation cases), but mostly (51%) through a two-step Auger route; the first step corresponds to the resonant Auger process where the 5p electron remains as a spectator, or, with a lesser probability, participates in the transition and is promoted to a 6p orbital. In contrast, Kr 3+ formation is estimated to be mainly due to a single step multiple ionization process.