Excitation energy dependence of 3d-metalL2,3 x-ray emissionspectra of M[N(CN)2]2 (M = Mn,Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) near 2p threshold

Abstract

Measurements of resonant inelastic x-ray spectra (RIXS) ofM[N(CN)2]2 (M = Mn,Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) molecular magnets are performed near 2p-threshold excitation. TheL2,3 x-ray emission spectra reveal features in fine structure in dependence on excitation energy,some of which are common for all 3d elements and others are typical only for the elementslocated in the middle (Mn, Fe, Co) or at the end of the series (Ni, Cu). The relative role oftwo channels for radiative decay from the excited (RXES, resonant x-ray emissionspectra) and the ionized (NXES, non-resonant x-ray emission spectra) states undervariation of atomic number of 3d element is discussed. The full atomic calculation ofRIXS spectra for a whole energy range of excitation energies is presented forMn[N(CN)2]2. A reasonable agreement is found for the shape, the relative intensities and dynamics ofenergy position for the experimental and calculated RXES. This evidences of many-electronnature of resonance x-ray emission spectra, at least for Mn. In contrast, we could notdescribe the non-resonant x-ray emission spectra in the atomic approach because theCoster–Kronig transitions were forbidden energetically in free ions though allowed in solids.