Measurement of K fluorescence yields in actinide elements

The K fluorescence yields (ω/sub K/) for several actinide elements have been determined from the K Auger electron and K x-ray intensities. The electron spectra were measured with a cooled Si(Li) spectrometer and the K x-ray intensities were measured with a Ge(Li) diode. From our present measurements the following values of K fluorescence yield have been obtained: Np, 97.1 +- 0.5 percent; Pu, 97.3 +- 0.5 percent; Cm, 97.2 +- 0.7 percent; Cf, 97.2 +- 0.5 percent; and Es, 97.1 +- 0.5 percent. These numbers indicate that the K fluorescence yield in the Z = 93 to Z = 99 region remains constant within the experimental error