Auger resonant-Raman study at the Ar K edge as probe of electronic-state-lifetime interferences

The resonant-Auger decay in argon following Ar 1s - np excitations was studied under resonant-Raman conditions, i.e., with a total instrumental bandwidth much narrower than the natural linewidth of the absorption features. These state-of-the-art experiments are combined with a radiationless resonant-Raman scattering theory. The main results include identification of the energy position of some high-lying Rydberg states previously masked by insufficient resolution and clear evidence of electronic-state-lifetime interference phenomena.