Searching for influence of the “atomic structure effect” on the KLL and LMM Auger transition energies of Zn (ZÂ =Â 30) and Gd (ZÂ =Â 64)

The absolute energies of the KL2L3(1D2), KL3M2,3(3P0,2), and L3M4M5(1G4) transitions in Zn3067 from the EC decay of Ga3167 and from the β− decay of Cu2967 and those of the KL2L3(1D2) and L3M4M5(1G4) transitions in Gd generated in the EC decay of 153,155,156Tb fraction and the β− decay of 152,154,155Eu fraction as well were measured with use of the combined electrostatic electron spectrometer. The absolute energies of the KL2L3(1D2) and L3M4M5(1G4) transitions in Gd following the EC decay were found to be higher by 13.9 ± 0.9 and 16.3 ± 0.3 eV, respectively, than those measured for the transitions initiated by the β− decay. Much lower differences of 2.1 ± 0.2, 2.4 ± 0.2 and 1.6 ± 0.2 eV between the EC and the β− decay modes for the above mentioned transitions, respectively, were observed for Zn3067. Due to the uncertainties in the assumed chemical state of the studied isotopes generated by β− decay and EC decay in different sources, contributions from the induced chemical shifts of the electron binding energies to the observed differences can be significant especially in the latter case. Despite this fact the finding corresponds to the results obtained in the X-ray studies of the “atomic structure effect” that the effect is the most pronounced for the 4f and 5f element groups. A comparison of the measured and calculated absolute Auger transition energies indicates that the electron configuration of Gd just after the EC decay can differ from that one supposed in the calculations.

► The “atomic structure effect” on the KLL and LMM transitions in Zn and Gd observed. ► The Gd KL2L3(1D2) absolute transition energy from the EC enlarged by 13.9 ± 0.9 eV. ► The Gd L3M4M5(1G4) absolute transition energy from the EC enlarged by 16.3 ± 0.3 eV. ► The Zn KL2L3(1D2) absolute transition energy from the EC enlarged by 2.1 ± 0.2 eV. ► The Zn L3M4M5(1G4) absolute transition energy from the EC enlarged by 1.6 ± 0.2 eV.