4/2003 Rev 2

I.2.4 slide 1 of 9
Session I.2.4
Part I Review of Fundamentals

Module 2 Basic Physics and Mathematics
Used in Radiation Protection

Session 4 Internal Conversion and Auger
Electrons
IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course
Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 2 of 9
In this session we will discuss the process
of Internal Conversion

We will also discuss Auger Electrons
Overview
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 3 of 9
Auger Electrons
Auger electrons are a special case of Internal
Conversion.

During the Internal Conversion Process, a gamma
photon from the nucleus interacts with and transfers
all of its energy to a tightly bound (K-shell) orbital
electron.

The electron is ejected from the atom with
considerable energy, equal to that of the initial
gamma photon minus the binding energy.
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 4 of 9
Auger Electrons
characteristic x-ray Auger electron
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 5 of 9
Auger Electrons
E

= 296 keV

E
ceK
= 217.6 keV
E
ceL3
= 284.4 keV
E
ceM
= 293.3 keV
BE
K-shell
= E
ceK
- E

=
217.6 - 296 = -78.4 keV

BE
L3-shell
= E
ceL1
E

=
284.4 - 296 = -11.6 keV

BE
M-shell
= E
ceM
E

=
293.3 - 296 = -2.7 keV
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 6 of 9
Auger Electrons
BE
K-shell
= E
ceK
- E

=
217.6 - 296 = -78.4 keV

BE
L3-shell
= E
ceL1
E

=
284.4 - 296 = -11.6 keV
NOTE: gamma, x-ray
and electron energies
are positive while
binding energies are
negative
K
1
characteristic x-ray =
-11.6 - -78.4 = 66.8 keV
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 7 of 9
Auger Electrons
E

= 296 keV

E
ceL2
= 282.7 keV
BE
L2
= E
ceL2
- E

=
282.7 296 = -13.3 keV
BE
M
= E
ceM
- E

=
293.3 - 296 = -2.7 keV
characteristic x-ray (ML)
= BE
M
BE
L2

= -2.7 - -13.3 = 10.6 keV
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 8 of 9
Auger Electrons
From previous slide:

BE
M
= -2.7 keV

characteristic x-ray (ML)
= 10.6 keV
Auger electron ejected
from the M-shell
= 10.6 2.7 = 7.9 keV

(close to 7.4 keV)
4/2003 Rev 2
I.2.4 slide 9 of 9
Where to Get More Information
Cember, H., Introduction to Health Physics, 3
rd

Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York (2000)

Firestone, R.B., Baglin, C.M., Frank-Chu, S.Y., Eds.,
Table of Isotopes (8
th
Edition, 1999 update), Wiley,
New York (1999)

International Atomic Energy Agency, The Safe Use
of Radiation Sources, Training Course Series No. 6,
IAEA, Vienna (1995)