The soft X-ray emission spectra of Zn, Ga and Ge

Abstract The experimental Lα1,2 and Lβ1 X-ray emission spectra of Zn, Ga and Ge are presented. The high-energy satellite structure of the lines is considered. It appears that the intensity of these satellites relative to the main lines is much larger for Zn than for Ga and Ge. This enhancement effect is interpreted as arising mainly from the 2p−1 1/2 → 2p−1 3/23d−1 3/2,5/2 Coster-Kronig transition occurring in metallic Zn, which is absent in the case of Ga and Ge. Furthermore, for all these elements it is suggested that a significant contribution to the high-energy satellites of the Lα1,2; X-ray emission band arises from the 2s−1 1/2 → 2p−1 3/23d−1 3/2,5/2 Coster-Kronig process, whereas in the case of the satellites of the Lβ1 X-ray emission spectrum the main cause would be the 2s−1 1/2 → 2p−1 1/23d−1 3/2,5/2transition.