Coster-Kronig and fluorescence yields of Au L subshells derived from photoionisation measurements

Photoionisation studies provide a direct method for an accurate determination of vacancy decay parameters. The authors report on such measurements performed for the Au L shell. Thin Au foils were irradiated by photons with energies ranging from 11.5 to 15.2 keV. The mass absorption coefficient as well as the induced L X-radiation were measured. From the absorption coefficient the ionisation cross sections of the individual L subshells were derived. Comparison of the cross sections and the induced X-ray fluorescence gives Coster-Kronig factors, fluorescence yields and branching ratios for different X-ray lines. For the Coster-Kronig factors and fluorescence yields significant deviations from previously adopted values were found.