Soft X-Ray and X-Ray Photoemission Studies of Light Metals and Alloys

Abstract

This paper is not intended to be a comprehensive review of soft x-ray (SXS) and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) studies of alloys but is directed rather at an audience who is familiar with solid state physics but not in detail with this particular subject. The objective in all the experimental studies selected for discussion is to shed some light on the behaviour of the valence electrons in metals and alloys; hence the SXS involve transition of electrons in the valence band to some vacancy created in a core level of well defined energy (Fig. 1). The higher the binding energy of the core level the greater is the lifetime broadening, thus to achieve high resolution, spectra in the extreme UV or soft x-ray regions are preferred.