Determination of subshell-resolved $L$-shell-ionization cross sections of gold induced by 15–40-keV electrons

The $L$-subshell specific electron impact ionization cross sections, near the ionization threshold ($15<E<40$ keV) of gold are calculated from the measured production cross sections in this collaborative work between an experimental and a theoretical group. Calculations are performed using the distorted wave Born approximation formalism, and the modified relativistic binary encounter Bethe model to understand the data. The observed agreements and discrepancies between the two theoretical formalisms considered and the experimental data are reported.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of the experiment.

Figure 2

Efficiency of the PIN diode x-ray detector used in the experiment.

Figure 3

(a) Typical spectrum at 25-keV electron impact energy. (b) Fitting of $L_{\gamma }$ peaks from the spectrum taken at 40-keV electron impact energy.

Figure 4

Production cross section of $L_{\alpha }$, $L_{\beta }$, and $L_{\gamma }$ lines of Au. Theoretical values are obtained using relaxation parameters [28, 30].

Figure 5

$L_1$, $L_2$, and $L_3$ subshell ionization cross sections of gold.