New approach to measurement of theL2−L3Coster-Kronig transition probability in heavy atoms

The Coster-Kronig probability $f_{23}$ for lead has been measured by a $K$-x-ray—$L$-x-ray coincidence technique. Analytic fitting of the $K\alpha$-x-ray triplet using nonlinear least-squares methodology was employed to determine the corrections necessitated by the overlap of the $K{\alpha }_2$ and $K{\alpha }_1$ peaks. The result, 0.112±0.002, is to be compared with the Dirac-Hartree-Slater prediction of 0.122 and a recently measured value of 0.130±0.002 obtained by a different approach to the overlap correction. The present result may provide an estimate of relaxation and many-body effects, which—if included—would lower the Dirac-Hartree-Slater single-particle-model prediction.