Postcollision interaction in the excitation of a gold 4d vacancy by fast electrons
Mikushkin V. M. , Zakharevich A. V. , Pavletsov I. I. , Sysoev S. E. , Shnitov V. V. , Kuchiev M. Yu. , Shelnerman S. A.
A comparative study has been made of the energy spectra of the Auger electrons emitted as a result of excitation of a gold 4d vacancy by χ rays and high-energy electrons. In the case of electron collision, a change is observed in the kinetic energy of an Auger electron as the result of a postcollision interaction of this electron with an electron knocked out of an inner shell. A theoretical model is proposed. Equations are proposed for describing the postcollision interaction for isolated atoms (in a gas) and also for atoms at a metal surface. The change in the energy of an Auger electron due to the postcollision interaction is calculated to be 0.6 eV. This figure is comparable to the experimental value of 0.25 ±0.15 eV. It is concluded that the classical Barker-Berry postcollision interaction does not occur at a metal surface, in contrast with the case involving an isolated atom.