Measurement of K to L shell vacancy transfer probabilities for the elements 46≤Z≤55 by photoionization

The K to L shell vacancy transfer probabilities for nine elements in the atomic region 46≤Z≤55 were determined by measuring the L X-ray yields from targets excited by 5.96 and 59.5 keV photons and using the theoretical K and L shell photoionization cross-sections. The L X-rays from different targets were detected with an Ultra-LEGe detector with very thin polymer window. Present experimental results were compared with the semi empirical values tabulated by Rao et al. [Atomic vacancy distributions product by inner shellionization, Phys. Rev. A 5 (1972) 997–1002] and theoretically calculated values using radiative and radiationless transitions. The radiative transitions of these elements were observed from the relativistic Hartree–Slater model, which was proposed by Scofield [Relativistic Hartree–Slater values for K and L shell X-ray emission rates, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 14 (1974) 121–137]. The radiationless transitions were observed from the Dirac–Hartree–Slater model, which was proposed by Chen et al. [Relativistic radiationless transition probabilities for atomic K- and L-shells, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 24 (1979) 13–37]. To the best of our knowledge, these vacancy transfer probabilities are reported for the first time.