K-Auger emission from carbon foils for 1-MeV-proton impact

The spectra of secondary electrons emitted from carbon foils have been measured for excitation by 1-MeV-proton impact. $K$-Auger electron spectra observed in these measurements are compared to similar spectra from gas targets and to calculations based on Monte Carlo track-structure techniques. The calculations are shown to accurately reproduce the Auger spectral shapes observed with foil targets. These calculations illustrate the significance of inelastic-scattering processes on the spectra of Auger electrons emerging from foil targets. The potential influence of multiply scattered Auger electrons on the interpretation of Auger spectra observed in beam-foil spectroscopy is illustrated.