Auto-Ionization in the Alkaline Earth Metals and the Inert Gases

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Abstract
The atomic process of auto-ionization put forward by Shenstone is discussed in connection with the alkaline earth metals, calcium, strontium, and barium, and the inert gases, krypton and xenon. The phenomenon is quite similar to the Auger effect in x-rays and analogous with the predissociation of molecules in band spectra put forward by Kronig. Certain characteristics of energy levels in Ca and Sr, known to lie above the first series limit and to give rise, in combination with lower levels, to sharp and nebulous lines, are attributed to the process of auto-ionization. In a similar manner the cutting off at the first or second member of certain series of lines in krypton and xenon and the continuance of other series of the same electron configurations to five, six, seven and eight members is attributed to the process of auto-ionization in those atomic states of the neutral atom which lie above the first series limit.

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