A New Method for Measuring Auger Transitions

The $K$ fluorescence yields ($w_K$) of eight elements: zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, silver, cadmium, and tin were measured by a new x-ray method involving the use of a NaI-Tl scintillation counter. This counter made it possible to detect the fluorescent x-rays radiated over an effective solid angle of $2\pi$ steradians. The values of $w_K$ are Zr—0.645; Nb—0.713; Mo—0.714; Rh—0.779; Pd—0.782; Ag—0.814; Cd—0.819, and Sn—0.840, all with an accuracy of ±3 percent. These results confirm the theoretical predictions of Wentzel that $\frac{w_K}{(1-w_K)}$ is a function of $Z^4$, and they are in close agreement with the theoretically predicted values of Burhop and Pincherle.