Hole-lifetime width: a comparison between theory and experiment

An extensive comparison of theoretical hole-lifetime width with experiment available for the L, M, and N hole levels of atomic elements 14≤Z≤92 is made. The independent-particle approach cannot provide reliable estimates of the hole-lifetime widths, except for the L23, M45 and N67 levels. The many-body theory can provide much more reliable estimates. The cause of discrepancies between theory and experiment is discussed in detail, in light of many-body effects of the hole decay. The present analysis of the hole-lifetime widths of several atomic levels of a large number of atomic elements elucidates not only the opening or closing of certain decay channels, but also the effect on emitted Auger electrons by intrinsic physical mechanisms, such as localization or delocalization of two-holes in a final state of the hole decay