The synchrotron photoionization method was applied to measure L-subshe
ll Coster-Kronig yields for Tb. This method is based on the capability
of tuning the energy of the synchrotron photons producing a selective
subshell ionization. A foil sample of Tb was irradiated and character
istic spectra were recorded. Data were analysed using a new formalism
(based on a matrix representation) to express x-ray fluorescence inten
sities involving Coster-Kronig transitions. The results obtained were
f(12) = 0.201 +/- 0.014, f(13) = 0.281 +/- 0.027 and f(23) = 0.097 +/-
0.016. These data represent valuable information for spectroscopists,
considering the lack of data for L-shell parameters.