Angular correlation between Auger electrons successively emitted from photoexcited resonances in Kr and Xe

We have studied angular correlations between resonant Auger electrons and successive second-step Auger electrons emitted in a cascade decay after photoexcitation of resonances 3d −1 5/2 5p in Kr and 4d −1 5/2 6p in Xe. Two spectrometers were used for the angle-resolved detection of the two electrons in coincidence. Angular correlations for several pairs of strong lines have been measured in both atoms. The experimental results are compared with multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock calculations which include electron correlations in the initial, intermediate and final states of the cascade. In general, good agreement between experiment and theory is obtained.