Electron-impact ionization of the inner subshells of Au

Fully-relativistic first-order perturbation theory calculations are made for the electron-impact ionization of the inner K1, L1, L2, and L3 subshells of the Au atom. One set of calculations only include the two-body electrostatic interaction, while the other set includes the full two-body retarded electromagnetic interaction. The full two-body calculations are in good agreement with recent near threshold measurements for the K1 subshell, in reasonable agreement with recent near threshold measurements for the L2 and L3 subshells, but a factor of two higher than recent near threshold measurements for the L1 subshell. The poor agreement found between theory and experiment for the L1 subshell will hopefully encourage furthur measurements for the Au atom.