Experimental determination of tantalum L-shell fluorescence yields and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities

TL;DR

This study experimentally determined the L-shell fluorescence yields and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities of tantalum using calibrated X-ray techniques, providing validated data consistent with existing databases.

Contribution

First experimental determination of tantalum's L-shell fluorescence yields and Coster-Kronig factors with comprehensive uncertainty analysis and validation.

Findings

Fluorescence yields: ω_L3=0.247(12), ω_L2=0.278(15), ω_L1=0.157(12)

Coster-Kronig factors: f_23=0.123(84), f_13=0.328(152), f_12=0.14(11)

Results agree with established X-ray fluorescence databases

Abstract

Using radiometrically calibrated instrumentation of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the L-shell fluorescence yields and Coster-Kronig factors of tantalum (including the uncertainty budget) were experimentally determined based on transmission and X-ray fluorescence experiments. The determined fluorescence yields ($\omega_{L3} = 0.247(12)$, $\omega_{L2} = 0.278(15)$, $\omega_{L1} = 0.157(12)$) were independently validated trough XRR-GIXRF experiments. Both, the Coster-Kronig factors ($f_{23} = 0.123(84)$, $f_{13} = 0.328(152)$, $f_{12} = 0.14(11)$) as well as the fluorescence yields are in good agreement with the most established databases in the field of X-ray fluorescence.