Study of K-LL Auger Processes for Light Elements above Z = 10

Abstract

A comprehensive review is given of the K-LL Auger spectrum for members of the third row of the periodic table. This group contains the lightest elements wherein an Auger process can occur without the direct participation of the valence shell. Recent Auger spectra induced by x-ray photoionization on Mg, Al, and Si metals and their oxides are given as well as preliminary results on salts of Na and K, and for comparison, the L-MM spectra of RbCl. Our results have been combined with previous experimental data and theory in order to obtain an overview. Four topics concerned with Auger processes are discussed: Energies, relative intensities, chemical shifts, and satellite structure. Interlaced throughout the entire paper is a discussion of the role played by the chemical environment and electron correlation.