The L-shell X-ray intensity ratios, the production cross-sections, the average L-shell fluorescence yields, the L-3 sub-shell fluorescence yields and the radiative vacancy transfer probabilities from the L-3 sub-shell to the M, N and O sub-shells for heavy elements and their compounds from Ta to Pt were measured. The samples were excited by 59.5 keV gamma-rays from a Am-241 annular radioactive source. The L X-rays emitted by the samples were counted by an Ultra-LEGe detector with a resolution of 150 eV at 5.9 keV. The experimental values were compared with the theoretical and other experimental values for pure elements. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.