Evidence for N2N3N45 super coster kronig processes in metallic Nb,Mo, Ru and Rh

The 4p photoelectron spectra of metallic Nb, Mo, Ru and Rh have been recorded. By use of a deconvolution procedure it is shown that the 4p_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} spin-orbit component has a linewidth which significantly exceeds that of the 4p_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} component. This suggests that N₂N₃N₄₅ super Coster Kronig processes give a considerable contribution to the decay rata of the 4p_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} hole state.