KLL resonant Auger transitions in metallic Cu and Ni

Complete text of publication follows. KLL Auger spectra of 3d transition metals contain important information on the effects of the solid environment on deep core Auger transitions. Following the changes in the spectra when fine tuning the exciting photon energy across the K-shell ionization threshold with high energy resolution is informative concerning the possible resonant processes, expected to indicate the single-step nature of threshold Auger emission. The satellite structures in these spectra are strongly related to the unoccupied local electronic states above the Fermi level, as well as to the excitation, relaxation and screening processes associated with core hole ionization. In spite of the fundamental significance of the phenomena mentioned above, even non resonant high energy resolution studies of KLL Auger spectra of 3d transition metals (using laboratory X-ray sources) are very scarce due to the demanding experimental conditions requested. A very efficient tool for studying these phenomena is the Tunable High Energy XPS developed at HASYLAB which provides unique conditions, photon x and energy resolution for deep core Auger spectroscopy. Using the THE-XPS instrument at the BW2 beamline the high energy resolution (ΔE = 0.2 eV) KL2,3L2,3 Auger spectra of polycrystalline Cu and Ni foils were measured with the Scienta SES-200 hemispherical analyzer. In the high energy range Cu 2p photo-electron peaks appearing in the Cu KLL Auger spectra due to the excitation by internal Cu K X-rays and trusted value for the Cu 2p3/2 binding energy were used for energy calibration. The exciting photon energy range was tuned up to about 50 eV above the K absorption edge and for the resonant energy region to 5 eV (Cu KLL) and 4 eV (Ni KLL) below threshold ensuring a photon beam with an energy width of about 1.1 eV. The evolution of the satellite structure as a function of excitation energy above threshold indicates di rent behaviour for particular satellites, making possible to separate initial state and final state effects. For illustration of the results, Fig. 1 shows the Cu KLL Auger spectra measured in the resonant exciting photon energy region. In the spectra the linear dispersion of the peak energy positions with lowering the photon energy below the ionization threshold, as a signature of the Auger resonant Raman process can be clearly seen. Similar tendency is observed in the respective Ni KLL Auger spectra. (author)