Auger electron emission by ion bombardment of light metals

The energy distribution of secondary electrons ejected from a metallic target upon ion bombardment (Ar⁺, 10 keV) is studied with a 180° magnetic analyser, particularly in the vicinity of the Auger peaks that appear in the electron spectra of the light metals (Li, Be; Na, Mg, Al, Si). A qualitative explanation based on the correlation diagrams which described the evolution of the electronic levels during the collision of two atoms inside the target is proposed to interpret the variation of the Auger peak intensity with the atomic number of the target.