The polarization of X-rays and magnetic photoionization cross-sections for L3 sub-shell

The alignment of atoms with inner-shell vacancies resulting from ionization by photons was investigated by measuring the anisotropic emission of L shell X-ray lines. The X-ray line intensities were measured using an Si(Li) detector and radioisotope photon source in various emission angles. It was observed from measured intensities that Lα and Ll X-ray intensities for the L3 sub-state depended on the emission angle, meaning that Lα and Ll X-rays had an anisotropic spatial distribution. Thus, the Lα to Ll intensity ratios for a set of elements were determined and alignment parameters for each element were obtained using these ratios. Also, the empirical values of the L3 magnetic sub-state photoionization cross-sections for mj  =32 and 12 were evaluated using the determined alignment parameters, sub-state photoionization cross-sections and the Coster–Kronig transition probabilities.