TheL-Emission Bands of Sodium, Magnesium and Aluminum

The radiation emitted when conduction electrons fill vacancies in the $L$ shell is spread over a band whose shape represents the energy distribution of the conduction electrons. This band has been studied spectrophotometrically for pure sodium, magnesium and aluminum. The observed shapes are in general agreement with theoretical predictions and confirm the results of previous experimental studies. In each case a "tail" has been observed at the low frequency end of the band, for which alternative explanations are offered. With the x-ray continuum as a standard of intensity, the total intensity of the $L$ band increases nineteen-fold from sodium to aluminum.