High-resolution electron-induced Ge L X-ray spectrum: diagram lines and satellite structures

Abstract

The L X-ray spectrum induced by electron impact upon a solid germanium target was measured with high spectral resolution and analyzed using the POEMA fitting software. Characteristic transition energies, natural linewidths, and relative radiative transition probabilities were determined for the main diagram lines. In addition, a comprehensive identification of satellite decays was achieved, including features previously unreported; the corresponding energy shifts were found to agree with literature values. New satellite structures in the and Lη regions were also observed, with the large linewidths found suggesting contributions from multiple unresolved transitions. The intensity-ratio analysis reveals a significant role of multivacancy states, with the Lβ₁ transition exhibiting an unusually high satellite-to-main intensity ratio close to unity, evidenced by the careful spectral treatment carried out. To accurately reproduce this region, we applied the self-absorbed Voigt profile previously developed for L-emission spectra, which incorporates an energy-dependent absorption term to account for the variation of the absorption coefficient across the neighbouring L₃ edge. This approach successfully reproduces the low-energy asymmetry of the Lβ₁ peak and its effect on the relative intensities of the main and satellite components. The results obtained aim to complete the database available at present for Ge L X-ray parameters, providing methodological advances applicable to the spectroscopic study of other elements.