Radiationless resonant Raman scattering interpretation of argon photoion yields measured in coincidence withK-LLAuger decay

Measurements of argon photoion yields obtained in coincidence with K-L2,3{L}2,3$ Auger emission as a function of incident photon energy across the K-shell threshold are reported. These results are interpreted within the framework of lowest-order scattering theory, which describes the virtual creation and decay of 1s-hole states. Cross sections for the production of singly ionized spectator Auger states [2p²]np and the doubly ionized [2p²] states are calculated using nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock wave functions and their physical interpretation is discussed. When the behavior of the np spectator electron during and after the subsequent Auger cascade that fills the two core 2p holes is taken into account, excellent agreement with experiment is obtained. The mechanism for loss of the np electron in this cascade is shown to be a final Auger decay in which the np electron participates and np shake-off is found to be negligible. {} 1996 The American Physical Society.