Space-distribution of X-ray photoelectrons ejected from the K and L atomic energy-levels

by Anderson, Carl D.

A C.F.R. Wilson expansion-chamber was used to study the space-distribution of photoelectrons ejected from a gas by monochromatic x-rays. Distribution curves were obtained for electrons ejected from both the K and the L atomic energy-levels. A more isotropic space-distribution was found for electrons ejected from the L energy-levels than for those from the K energy-level. The distribution of the electrons from the L energy-levels became less isotropic with an increase in the frequency of the incident radiation. For a given radiation, the average forward momentum of the electrons from the K energy-level was found to decrease with an increase in the binding energy of the parent atom. Within experimental error, however, for electrons from the K energy-level, even for different binding energies, the average forward momentum remained the same for a given velocity of ejection of the electron. The average forward momentum of electrons ejected from the L energy-levels level was greater than that for electrons from the K energy-level for a given velocity of ejection. The average forward momentum of the electrons ejected from the K shell was in fair accord with recent results of quantum mechanics. The observed values of the average forward momentum of the electrons ejected from the L energy-levels were slightly greater than those given by the theory.