Electron capture vs internal conversion electrons vs auger electrons

In summary, internal conversion electrons, electron capture, and Auger electrons are all different processes that involve the emission of electrons from atoms. Internal conversion involves the nucleus knocking out one of its own electrons, while electron capture involves a proton in the nucleus capturing an atomic electron. Auger electrons are caused by X-rays from atomic electron transitions. They are all distinct processes, despite their similarities in name.
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what is the differece between internal conversion electrons, electron capture and auger electons? i don't understand. The name suggests electron capture and internal conversion electrons are the same thing... but then when i look it up internal conversion electrons seem to be the same as auger electrons... but I am assuming they are three didferent things?
thanks
 
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With Internal Conversion "instead of emitting a gamma-ray, the nucleus de-excites by knocking out one of the atomic electrons with kinetic energy equal to the decay energy. It is usually the K shell electron that is internally converted because it has the greatest wave function overlap with the nucleus. The hole that is left behind will be repopulated by an electron from a higher atomic shell, usually the L shell, and this L to K transition is accompanied by an X-ray."
Ref: http://www.pma.caltech.edu/~ph77/labs/tabis.pdf [Broken] (see discussion under 137Cs)

In Electron Capture, a proton in the nucleus actually captures an atomic electron, usually a K electron, whereby the proton is transformed into a neutron, and a neutrino is emitted. The atomic number decreases by 1.

Auger electrons are actually caused by X-rays, i.e., photons from atomic electron transitions. It's possible that Auger electrons arise from the X-ray associated with Electron Capture.
http://www.microscopy.ethz.ch/auger.htm
http://www.prenhall.com/settle/chapters/ch42.pdf

FYI - Internal conversion electrons and supernova light curves
http://arxiv.org/abs/1012.4647
 
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What is the difference between electron capture, internal conversion electrons, and auger electrons?

Electron capture is a process in which an inner-shell electron is captured by the nucleus of an atom, resulting in the emission of a neutrino. Internal conversion electrons are electrons that are emitted from the atomic shell as a result of a nuclear decay, without the emission of a gamma ray. Auger electrons are similar to internal conversion electrons, but they are emitted from the outer atomic shells and are the result of the rearrangement of the remaining electrons after a nuclear decay.

Which type of electron emission is most commonly observed?

Internal conversion electrons are the most commonly observed type of electron emission, as they occur in most nuclear decays and do not require a high energy level like auger electrons do.

Can electron capture, internal conversion electrons, and auger electrons occur simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible for all three types of electron emissions to occur simultaneously in a nuclear decay, but it is not common.

How do electron capture and internal conversion electrons differ from beta decay?

Electron capture and internal conversion electrons are both forms of nuclear decay that do not result in the emission of a beta particle. Instead, they result in the emission of an electron or photons. Beta decay, on the other hand, is the emission of a beta particle, which is a high-energy electron.

What are the practical applications of studying electron capture, internal conversion electrons, and auger electrons?

Studying these types of electron emissions can provide valuable information about the structure and properties of atoms and their nuclei. They also have practical applications in fields such as medical imaging and radiation therapy.

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