The Electron Structure of 3d Metals

Abstract

AbstractThe available data on the electron energy losses in 3d metals from Sc to Cu are analyzed, and the energy loss maxima corresponding to plasmons are isolated. The number of plasmons changes from one in the beginning of the 3d series to three starting with Fe. This implies that the 4s + 3d electrons can be hybridized in one band or distributed over two or three bands separated by gaps. Taking into account the field acting on the core electrons (the Ar shell) makes it possible to obtain a refined formula for the effective plasma frequencies, which is used to calculate the electron concentration in the conduction and valence bands of the 3d metals. A proper consideration of the conditions at which the electrons of the valence bands, similar to those of the conduction bands, can be regarded as a quantum plasma permits to construct a diagram of distribution for the electron and spin densities of states as a function of energy. The electron density distribution in the 3d metals differs from that for the 3d atoms as well as from the one calculated for metals in recent theoretical works. The diagram of the electron and spin densities of states thus obtained is compared with other experimental data, viz. the X‐ray and neutron form factors, Hall effect, optical, photoemission, and X‐ray emission spectra.