4d-shell photoionization of Xe, Cs, Ba, Sm, Eu and Yb atoms studied by photoion-yield spectra

A comparative study of multiple photoionization in the 4d ionization region (78-270 eV) of M = Xe, Cs, Ba, Sm, Eu and Yb atoms is reported. Partial photoion-yield spectra for Mn+ (n = 1-4) ions have been measured by using synchrotron radiation as a light source. Main products in Xe, Cs and Ba are Mn2+ and M3+ ions due to the creation of a 4d vacancy. In Sm and Eu, a large fraction of M+ ions are populated via the 4d-4f resonant excitation and subsequent autoionization to the 4f ionizaton continuum, which is squeezing the population of multiply-charged ions to about 50%. In Yb, a large amount of M+ ions are also populated, but are due largely to the direct 4f ionization. In all of the atoms studied, an appreciable or considerable amount of M4+ ions are observed, indicating the existence of photoelectron and/or Auger shake-off processes. (orig.)