Multiplet effects on the shape of the3pphotoelectron spectrum of atomic Ni

Abstract

The $3p$ photoelectron spectrum and the corresponding ${M}_{2,3}$ Auger spectrum of atomic Ni have been measured with the use of monochromatized synchrotron radiation and atomic beam technique. The thresholds of the direct $3p$ photoionization have been determined. In order to interpret the complex ${3p}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ multiplet structure calculations were performed taking into account the initial states of both configurations ${3d}^{8}{4s}^{2}$ and ${3d}^{9}4s$ and the $\mathrm{LS}$-term dependence of the Ni $3p$ core-hole lifetimes. The strong influence of both the $3p\ensuremath{-}3d$ exchange interaction and the term dependent lifetime broadening by super-Coster-Kronig decays on the shape of the $3p$ photoelectron spectrum is demonstrated.