Upper Atomic-Number Limits for Satellites of the X-ray LineLβ2

The region of the x-ray spectrum in the immediate neighborhood of the line $L{\beta }_2$ has been photographically studied for the elements of atomic number 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, and 60, with a view to determining more precisely the atomic number ranges of the satellites (five in number) of $L{\beta }_2$. It appears that these ranges have clearly defined upper limits in the cases of all but one of the satellites of $L{\beta }_2$, and that the previously supposed presence of these satellites beyond these limits, approximately atomic number 53, can be traced in some cases to certain diagram lines which had not heretofore been thoroughly investigated, and that the presence of the satellites beyond these limits is in general to be doubted, at least as far as present accuracy and sensitivity of observation are concerned. The existence and sharpness of these limits seems to be in conflict with the Wentzel-Druyvesteyn double-ionization theory of the origin of the satellites. A table of new wave-lengths is included.