On the empty electron bands of lowest energy of the transition metals Mn and Fe and their oxides

Abstract

The X-ray K-absorption spectra of the transition metals Fe and Mn have been investigated using the photographic method. Our results are equivalent to those obtained by Beeman and Friedman with the double X-ray spectrometer. The initial absorption jump found on the long wave-length-side of the edge of the transition metals is attributed to a transition of the K-electron into an empty state of the 4 s-band having p-character. The intensity of the corresponding absorption and the conductivity of the metal in question increase with varying atomic number in the same direction. Besides the X-ray absorption spectra of the same metals were photographed, when they were present in one of their various oxides. These spectra have much in common with the absorption spectrum of the corresponding metal; the initial jump referred to above is much weaker. The absorption spectrum of zinc, when forming part of zinc-oxide has been photographed. It is nearly identical with that of metallic zinc.