Carbon 1s photoelectron spectra of CO molecules in gas phase were recorded in
the tender x-ray energy range, from 2.3 to 6.9 keV. The intensity ratios of
individual peaks from ν=0 to 3 within the vibrational progression of the C 1s
photoelectron spectrum were determined at the various photon energies and are
shown to be strongly affected by the photoelectron recoil effect. The
experimental vibrational intensity ratios are compared with theoretical
predictions at different levels of accuracy. Developments of the recoil model,
using generalized Franck-Condon factors, rovibrational coupling, Morse
potential energy curves, and accurate angular averaging are presented and
applied to the analysis of the experimental results
