Auger decay in the field of a positive charge

Following Bloch [34], one can perform a crude analysis of Eq. (16) assuming that the recombination matrix element scales as rlcoie/ where rcore is the spatial extension of the core orbital, while the ionization matrix element scales as 1/r 1, where rval is the spatial extension of the valence orbital. Since rcore Aal/ we obtain 

Let us first consider a simple Auger process with only a single decay channel [Nc = 1, see Eq. (4)]. Although not characteristic of K-shell Auger, such processes take place upon (n - l)p ionization of alkaline earth atoms, for example, in (2p 1) Mg+, where the only nonradiative decay pathway involves the two 3s electrons (2p-1) Mg+ (3s-2) Mg2+ + e. Assume that 

The above analysis suggests that the spectacular effect of the neighboring charge on the single-channel Mg 2p Auger decay has to do with the polarizable Mg 3s orbital that is involved both in the recombination and in the ionization parts of the two-electron transition. Let us consider now a more general situation, in which a polarizable orbital is involved only in the ejection of the Auger electron. An example of such a transition is readily provided by 2s-ionized Mg. Indeed, 2s ionization leads to the process in which 

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V. Averbukh, U. Saalmann, J.-M. Rost, Auger decay in the field of a positive charge, submitted to Phys. Rev. A. 

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