Fluorescent Yield of X-Ray Emission

Abstract

ONE of the chief reasons for the low intensity of the X-ray lines emitted by light atoms is the low fluorescent yield of the X-ray emission by such atoms. As predicted by Rosseland and first shown by Auger, excited atoms when reorganising can dispose of their excess energy either by emitting X-ray quanta or by giving off photoelectrons. When the latter process prevails, the yield of X-ray emission is low, and vice versa. The magnitude of the yield can be determined by counting the number of photo-electrons¹ given off by the atoms when leaving the excited state, or by comparing the intensity of the exciting and the excited radiation.