Lineshapes of Auger decay of excited atomic states

The theory of the shapes of Auger decay lines of excited atomic two-hole-on e-particle states into underlying continua is developed. It is shown that t he interference between two types of process, i.e. direct transition from a single-hole state to the continuum (shake-off transitions) and decay of tw o-hole-one-particle states (valence Auger transitions), results in Auger li nes of very different shapes. The lineshapes for the Auger decay of satelli te states [2s2p](P-1,P-3)ns(P-2) in the 2p photoelectron spectrum of the ne on atom are calculated. (Hole states are indicated by square brackets throu ghout.) The calculations show that in some cases the widths and shapes of t he Auger lines are approximately equal to those of the primary photoelectro n satellite lines, but in other cases a significant difference occurs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.