Zn 3d core-level transition in electron-energy-loss spectroscopy of ZnO: Comparison with a Zn 3d loss of clean and oxidized ZnSe(111) surfaces

Abstract

We propose that a dominant peak at 15.3 eV in the energy loss spectrum of the (0001) surface of ZnO can be identified as the Zn 3d loss due to the transition from the Zn 3d core level to a conduction band state, on the basis of observations that the Zn 3d loss of ZnSe shifts in energy with oxidation from 14.3 to 15.3 eV. This assignment differs from a previously reported result, in which the peak has been ascribed to the surface plasmon loss.