The relationship between empty d-state density and XPS satellite intensities in nickel alloys

Abstract

It is shown with the example of ThNi and ThPd alloys that the d-bands of Ni and Pd tend to fill when Ni and Pd are alloyed with electropositive metals. The satellites on the higher binding energy side of both core and valence band XPS spectra decrease in intensity on alloying and the core level peaks become less asymmetric. These satellites arise in the elements because the d-bands are not full and their decrease in the alloys is related to the d-band filling. The results thus indicate how alloying modifies the Ni and Pd d-bands and how information on valence band properties can be derived from the core level peak shapes.