Relativistic Auger and x-ray deexcitation rates of highly stripped atoms

Abstract

Radiative and radiationless transition probabilities have been computed relativistically for Li-, N-, F-, K-, and Co-like ions with atomic numbers up to $Z=92$ and with initial configurations consisting of a few closed inner shells with one deep-lying vacancy. Relativity is found to have a pronounced effect on the Auger rates of these highly ionized systems. Radiationless-transition rates are seen to increase with degree of ionization; the stripping of outer shells has a much smaller effect than creation of an empty inner shell of spectator holes. Fluorescence yields are found to increase with the degree of ionization. In the radiative decay of $1s2{s}^{2}$ Li-like ions, initial-state correlation and configuration interaction boost the fluorescence yield by six orders of magnitude at low and medium $Z$.