First Observation on the Photon Energy Dependence of the Partial Auger Transition Rates in Both the 4d3/2 and 4d5/2 Auger Decay of Xe

The relative Auger transition rates are observed to depend significantly on the exciting photon energy. The intensity ratios are found to vary as much as 30% in both the 4d3/2 and the 4d5/2 Auger groups when the photon energy is scanned above the 4d ionization threshold. The finding emphasizes the need to extend the treatment of the partial Auger transition rates beyond the two-step formulation.