Kβ-to-Kα X-ray intensity ratio studies on the changes of valence electronic structures of Ti, V, Cr, and Co in their disilicide compounds

Abstract

Kβ-to-Kα X-ray intensity ratios of Ti, V, Cr, and Co in pure metals and their disilicide compounds have been measured following excitation by 59.54 keV γ-rays from a 200 mCi 241Am point-source. The Kβ-to-Kα intensity ratios of all these metals in the disilicide compounds are found to be less than the corresponding ratios for pure metals. Comparison of the measured Kβ-to-Kα intensity ratios for the disilicides and pure metals with the multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock calculations indicates increase of the 3d electron populations of Ti, V, Cr, and Co in the disilicides from their pure metal values suggesting the rearrangement of electrons between 3d and 4s states of the individual metal atom. This rearrangement is found to be opposite to that observed in our previously reported work on NiSi 2 and CuSi 2.