Statistical properties of Auger amplitudes and rates

Abstract The statistical properties of Auger transitions are investigated for the first time. The fairly accurate approximate formula for the number of Auger amplitudes is derived. The symmetry property for this number and its approximation for semicomplementary arrays is determined. The results of calculations of the statistical characteristics (distribution function, initial and central moments, skewness, excess) for the distributions of Auger amplitudes and rates are presented in the case of transitions p 5 d N → p 6 d N −2 e , sd N → s 2 d N −2 e , d 9 p N → d 10 p N −2 e and their dependence on the number of electrons N in the sequences of atoms is investigated. It is shown that statistical properties of Auger spectra mainly depend on the orbital quantum numbers of shells involved in the transitions. For some characteristics the clearly expressed dependence on the even and odd numbers of electrons in outer open shell having integer or half-integer values of spins takes place. The rather large values of skewness and especially excess indicate a significant deviation of distribution of Auger amplitudes from the normal distribution.