One-step and two-step description of deexcitation processes in weakly interacting systems

Abstract

The origin of one- and two-step behavior of core-hole decay processes is identified in connection with high resolution autoionization spectra for Ar/Pt(111). The spectra simultaneously show features of the two types (resonant Raman vs Auger-like behavior). The character of the process is determined by whether excitations in the intermediate state created in the scattering process are detected in the decay process or not. The consequences for phenomena like resonant Raman Auger, resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, and resonant photoemission are discussed. © 1996 American Physical Society.