Measurements of K ‐shell x‐ray production cross sections and K to L and M ‐shell radiative vacancy transfer probabilities for Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy and Ho at excitation with 59.5 keV photons in an external magnetic field

The effect of the ± 0.75 T external magnetic field on the K α1 , K α2 , K β′1 and K β′2 x‐ray production cross sections and radiative vacancy transfer probabilities from K ‐shell to L 2 and L 3 subshells and M ‐shell for ferromagnetic Nd, Gd and Dy and paramagnetic Eu and Ho have been investigated, using the 59.5 keV incident photons. K ‐shell fluorescence yields and K x‐ray intensity ratios for these elements have been determined in the external magnetic field also. The K x‐rays from different targets were detected using a high‐resolution Si(Li) semiconductor detector. For B = 0, the present experimental results were compared with the experimental and theoretical data in the literature. The results show that K ‐shell fluorescence parameters such as photoionization cross section, fluorescence yield, radiation rates, vacancy transfer probabilities and spectral linewidth can change owing to the applied magnetic field. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.