POSTCOLLISION INTERACTION IN THE EXCITATION OF A GOLD 4D VACANCY BY FAST ELECTRONS

A comparative study has been made of the energy spectra of the Auger e lectrons emitted as a result of excitation of a gold 4d vacancy by x r ays and high-energy electrons. In the case of electron collision, a ch ange is observed in the kinetic energy of an Auger electron as the res ult of a postcollision interaction of this electron with an electron k nocked out of an inner shell. A theoretical model is proposed. Equatio ns are proposed for describing the postcollision interaction for isola ted 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 interacti on is calculated to be 0.6 eV. This figure is comparable to the experi mental value of 0.25 +/- 0.15 eV. It is concluded that the classical B arker-Berry postcollision interaction does not occur at a metal surfac e, in contrast with the case involving an isolated atom.