The local electronic structure of PdO crystal and PdO catalyst supported on SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 from L3 and L1 x-ray absorption Pd edge in XANES spectra

We have studied the local electronic structure of PdO catalysts supported on characteristic inert and quasi-inert substrate from experiment on X-ray absorption near edge structure XANES using Synchrotron radiation. From the joint analysis of L₃ absorption edge and XPS core data in Pd and PdO we find that the white line in PdO XANES is an excitonic state with 0.8 eV binding energy. From the joint analysis of L₃ and L₁ edges the p-like and the d-like local unoccupied electronic states have been determined. The local structure of PdO catalysts is different from that of PdO crystal. Evidence for structural disorder in PdO catalysts and PdO-substrate interaction is reported.     

X-Ray M5 absorption limits of Au,Tl, Pb and Bi

The combination defects of the X-ray M₄ and M₅ absorption limits of Ta to Bi have been studied, and the energies of the absorption limits compared with the level energies obtained by XPS. The M₅ absorption spectra of Au, T1, Pb and Bi in the metallic state have been investigated carefully, and, as expected, a weak subsidiary absorption discontinuity found on the low energy side of the apparent M₅ absorption discontinuity in the respective spectra. Finally, it has been shown that the absorption limit on the subsidiary absorption discontinuity gives the true M₅ absorption limit for these elements.     

Role of multielectron excitations in the L3 XANES of Pd

High resolution L₃ and L₂ XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) spectra of Pd metal have been measured at the Frascati synchrotron radiation facility. The L₃ XANES shows an intense 2p → 4d “white line” while at the L₂ a weaker structure appears. A good agreement between L₃ XANES and the one-electron theory of Muller et al. has been found. All the possible final state effects due to the relaxation of the many body system are discussed. No many body effects have been seen on the “white line” at threshold. The intensity ratio between L₃ and L₂ absorption is 2.1 in the high energy range of XANES and it is 2.7 at the white line maximum. A weak broad band extending up to 13 eV and centered at ～ 6 eV above the Fermi level, appearing in the L₃-L₂ difference spectrum, could be tentatively assigned either to the only possible very weak multielectron excitation present in XANES of Pd i.e. the “two hole-two electron” excited state or to the prevalence of the $\text{j}\text{=}\text{5}\text{2}$ total angular momentum for electrons in the 5sp band, hybridized with the 4d band, up to 3 eV above the Fermi level.     

Optical constants of Cu(In0.7Ga0.3)5Se8 and Cu(In0.4Ga0.6)5Se8 crystals

Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry has been applied to characterize the optical constants of bulk Cu(In_0.7Ga_0.3)₅Se₈ and Cu(In_0.4Ga_0.6)₅Se₈ crystals grown by the Bridgman method. The spectra were measured at room temperature over the energy range 0.8-4.4 eV. Adachi’s model was used to calculate the dielectric functions as well as the spectral dependence of complex refractive index, absorption coefficient, and normal-incidence reflectivity. The calculated data are in good agreement with the experimental ones over the entire range of photon energies. The parameters such as strength, threshold energy, and broadening, corresponding to the E₀, E_1A, and E_1B interband transitions, have been determined using the simulated annealing algorithm.     

Electronic excitations in phosphorus-containing molecules. I. Inner shell electron energy loss spectra of PH3, P(CH3)3, PF3 and PCL3

Electron energy loss Spectroscopy has been used to obtain the inner shell electronic excitation spectra of PH₃, PF₃, PCl₃ and P(CH₃)₃ in the phosphorus L-shell (P 2p, 2s) region as well as the respective ligand K -shells (F 1s, C 1s) and L-shell (Cl 2p and 2s) regions. The spectra were obtained under small momentum transfer conditions so that dipole-allowed transitions dominate. An impact energy of 2.5 ke V was used and inelastically scattered electrons were detected at a typical scattering angle of about 1°. A dipoleforbidden transition of unusual character is observed at 135.11 eV in the P 2p spectrum of PCl₃. Although optically forbidden, as indicated by its absence in a soft X-ray absorption spectrum, the intensity of this transition rises very rapidly with increase in momentum transfer.     

Higher overtones of the bending vibrations of the ground states of 12CS2 and 13CS2

Large numbers of ‘hot’ bands in the first electronic absorption systems of ¹²CS₂ and ¹³CS₂ have been analyzed from plates taken at high dispersion, and accurate rotational constants have been obtained for the overtones of the ground state bending vibration up to v₂ = 6 and l = 3 for ¹²CS₂ and v₂ = 4, l = 2 for ¹³CS₂. The energy differences between the various levels with the same l value have been determined to an accuracy of about ±0.006 cm^?1, but (because of the parallel polarization of the electronic transition) the absolute energies of levels with l > 0 cannot be obtained.     

Esca studies of Ga,As, GaAs,Ga2O3, As2O3 and As2O5

The binding energies of Ga 3d, As 3d, Ga L₃M₄,₅M₄,₅ and O 1s in Ga, As, GaAs, Ga₂O₃, As₂O₃ and As₂O₅ are reevaluated by means of ESCA. The calibration lines of the C 1s and the Au 4f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$} gave different binding energies for the compound materials. In order to determine the absolute binding energies, the chemical shifts in Auger and photoelectron lines from a layered structure composed of thin layer oxide and substrate of a defined material were used. An energy calibration curve, E(Ga 3d) vs. ΔE(GA LMM - Ga 3d), was found to be useful for determination of binding energies in the material which contains gallium. In the case of the GaAs sample, both the chemical etching and the ion bombardment effects on the chemical structure of the GaAs surface are also discussed.     

Study of L2,3M4,5M4,5 Auger spectra of Zn and Cu in molecular ZnCl2 and (CuCl)3 vapours

L_2,3M_4,5M_4,5 Auger electron spectra of Zn and Cu have been measured in molecular ZnCl₂ and (CuCl) ₃ vapours. The spectra have been analyzed and compared with the corresponding free-atom spectra. It is found that the main features of the spectra are atomic-like. The energies are shifted by 0.55 eV in ZnCl₂ and by 3.2 eV in (CuCl)₃ towards higher kinetic energy compared with the corresponding free-atom spectra. For the intensity ratios between the L₃ and L₂ groups, the values 2.8 and 3.7 are obtained for Zn and Cu, respectively. These intensity ratio, together with energy considerations based on free-atom Dirac—Fock calculations and observed Auger shifts, indicate that the L₂L₃M_4,5 Coster—Kronig process is energetically possible in (CuCl)₃ molecular clusters but not in ZnCl₂. The satellite structure in the spectra studied also supports this conclusion.     

Double discontinuities of wide separation in the X-ray absorption spectra of transition elements in highly oxidized compounds

The paper consists of two parts. (1) The author studied the mechanism of the appearance of the double discontinuities of wide separation in the X-ray L₁ absorption spectrum of Mo in MoO₃, which were found in the recent research about the effects of chemical combination on various X-ray absorption limits, and that of Nb in Nb₂O₅. Then he arrived at the conclusion that the discontinuity of the higher energy corresponds to the electronic transition from L₁ to 5p, and that of the lower energy is attributed to that from L₁ to the 4d, 5s state. (2) The author applied the explanation to the double discontinuities which have been observed by many researchers in the K absorption spectra of 3d transition elements in highly oxidized compounds, and showed that these double absorption discontinuities are ascribed to the electronic transitions K?4p and K ? 3d, 4s.     

Effect of Bi2O3 content on physical and optical properties of 15Li2O-15K2O-xBi2O3-(65−x) B2O3: 5V2O5 glass system

Multi-component bismuth borate glasses doped with vanadium ions 15Li₂O-15K₂O-xBi₂O₃-(65−x) B₂O₃: 5V₂O_5, (x=3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15) have been prepared using conventional melt quench technique. Characterization of the prepared glasses has been done using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and density measurements. The effect of Bi₂O₃ content on the optical properties of the present glass system is studied from the optical absorption spectra recorded in the wavelength range 200-800 nm. The fundamental absorption edge has been identified from the optical absorption spectra. The values of optical band gap for indirect allowed transitions have been determined using available theories. The origin of the Urbach energy is associated with the phonon-assisted indirect transitions. The density and molar volume studies indicate that Bi₂O₃ in these glasses is acting partly as network modifier and partly as network former. The variations in the optical band gap energies, density and molar volume with Bi₂O₃ content have been discussed in terms of changes in the glass structure. Values of the theoretical optical basicity, average crosslink density and the average electronic polarizability are also reported.     

The ν5 and ν3 Raman bands of CH2D2

The ν₅ and ν₃ Raman bands of CH₂D₂ have been recorded with a resolution of 0.35 cm^?1. The ν₃ state is well known from infrared studies. Three hundred twenty-nine transitions of the ν₅ band were analyzed, assuming an unperturbed upper state, giving a standard deviation on the fit of the upper-state energies of 0.037 cm^?1, The constants A, B, C, Δ_J, Δ_JK, and Δ_K differed significantly from the ground-state values, and ν₅ was determined as 1331.41 ± 0.05 cm^?1. This work represents the first complete analysis of the fine structure of a rotation-vibrational Raman band for an asymmetric rotor. The ν₅ state could not be analyzed in infrared so this investigation, once more, demonstrates the usefulness of the Raman method.     

Interpretation of KL2,3L2,3 radiative auger thresholds in metals and semiconductors

High-resolution measurements of the KL_2,3L_2,3 radiative Auger edge in Mg and Al are reported. The theory of soft X-ray absorption thresholds by Flynn and Lipari is modified to account for the KL_2,3L_2,3 threshold energies. The calculated energies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results including previous measurements on Si.     

Photoelectron and electronic absorption spectra of SCl2, S2Cl2, S2Br2 and (CH3)2S2

Photoelectron and electronic absorption spectra of SCl₂, S₂Cl₂, S₂Br₂, and (CH₃)₂S₂ have been measured and analyzed. Quantum chemical calculations (CNDO/ 2 and MWH (Mulliken-Wolfsberg-Helmholtz) have been carried out and the electronic structures have been described in terms of molecular orbital theory. The variation in differential photoionization cross-section as a function of incident photon energy and results of MO computations are used to identify ionization bands and assign ground state MO configurations. Suggested ground state electronic structures coupled with computed virtual MO's are used to interpret the visible and near-ultraviolet electronic absorption spectra. The low energy excited states are described as molecular states followed by the initial members of Rydberg series. Calculated oscillator strengths for molecular transitions are in good agreement with those observed experimentally. Quantum defects, δ, for the Rydberg states have been calculated from the Rydberg equation using the adiabatic first ionization potential.     

Quantitative laboratory spectra and spectral line parameters for the v2 and v4 bands of PH3 applicable to spectral radiative models of the atmosphere of Jupiter

Quantitative laboratory PH₃ absorption spectra were obtained in the 800–1350 cm^-1 region, at ～0.05 cm^-1 resolution, with gas amounts corresponding to observed PH₃ absorptions in the atmosphere of Jupiter. A compilation of spectral line positions, intensities and ground state energies has been generated for the v₂ and v₄ bands of PH₃. Line-by-line calculations have been compared with the experimental spectra.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Ce(Cu,Ni)2 pseudobinary phases

The stability of the pseudobinary phases obtained by partial substitution of Ni with Cu, Ag or Au in the cubic Laves phase CeNi₂, or by partial substitution of Cu with Ni in the orthorhombic compound CeCu₂ has been investigated. No solid solubility of Cu, Ag and Au in the CeNi₂ cubic lattice could be detected. In contrast, pseudobinary orthorhombic phases, corresponding to the formula CeCus_2?xNi_x, exist over the range x = 0 to 1. For these phases, crystal structures and magnetic properties have been determined. In every case, the electronic configuration of cerium appears to be unaffected to the Ni content, and corresponds to the trivalent state. The Ni atoms are in a non-magnetic state. The magnetic susceptibility of CeCu₂ in the region from 530 to 900 K shows anomalous behaviour, which should be due to a metamagnetic transition.     

High-resolution study of some doubly excited vibrational states of PH2D: the ν1+ν2, ν2+ν5, ν2+ν3, and ν2+ν6 bands

The absorption bands ν₁+ν₂, ν₂+ν₃, and ν₂+ν₆ of PH₂D have been recorded for the first time using a high-resolution Bruker 120 HR interferometer, and rotationally analyzed. Some transitions belonging to the very weak band ν₂+ν₅ and enhanced in intensity by strong interactions with the ν₁+ν₂ band were also assigned. Sets of parameters obtained from the fit reproduce experimental line position of the bands ν₁+ν₂ and ν₂+ν₃ with about the experimental accuracy. The residuals of the ro-vibrational energies of the ν₂+ν₆ band are about 10 times larger. Reasons for the poorer reproduction of the latter data are given.     

Electrostatic lattice energies of some ABX3 polytypes with close-packed AX3 layers

Electrostatic lattice energies (Madelung and polarization energies) for five ideal ABX₃, structure types with close-packed AX₃ layers (X = F, Cl, Br, I, O, S) are calculated. Stability regions for the ideal structure types are indicated as function of the anion radius and the anion polarizability. The effect on the electrostatic lattice energy due to trigonal deformations of the AX₃ layers in the 2L and 3L stacked structures is discussed for the anions F and Cl.     

Defect properties of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2

Using first-principles electronic structure theory, we have calculated defect formation energies and defect transition levels in CuInSe₂ and CuGaSe₂. We show that (i) it is easy to form Cu vacancies in CuInSe₂, and (ii) it is also relatively easy to form cation antisite defects (e.g. In_Cu) for this ternary compound. Consequently, defect pairs such as (2V_Cu+In_Cu) have a remarkably low formation enthalpy. As a result, the formation of a series of Cu-poor compounds (CPCs) such as CuIn₅Se₈ and CuIn₃Se₅, is explained as a repeat of (2V_Cu+In_Cu) pairs in CuInSe₂. The very efficient p-type self-doping ability of CuInSe₂ is explained by the easy formation of the shallow Cu vacancies. The electrically benign character of the natural defect in CuInSe₂ is explained in terms of an electronic passivation of the by . For CuGaSe₂, we find that (i) the native acceptor formation energies and transition energy levels are similar to that in CuInSe₂, but the donor formation energy is larger in CuGaSe₂. (ii) The Ga_Cu donor level in CuGaSe₂ is deeper than In_Cu donor level in CuInSe₂, therefore, Ga_Cu behaves as an electron trap in CuGaSe₂, even when it is passivated by V_Cu. We have also calculated the band alignment between the CPCs and CuInSe₂, showing that it could have significant effect on the solar cell performance.     

Emission features of Ho ion in Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and La2O3 mixed Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 glasses

Li₂O-ZrO₂-SiO₂: Ho³⁺ glasses mixed with three interesting d-block elemental oxides, viz., Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅ and La₂O₃, were prepared. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of these glasses have been recorded at room temperature. The luminescence spectra of Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅ mixed Li₂O-ZrO₂-SiO₂ glasses (free of Ho³⁺ ions) have also exhibited broad emission band in the blue region. This band is attributed to radiative recombination of self-trapped excitons (STEs) localized on substitutionally positioned octahedral Ta⁵⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ ions in the glass network. The Judd-Ofelt theory was successfully applied to characterize Ho³⁺ spectra of all the three glasses. From this theory various radiative properties, like transition probability A, branching ratio β_r and the radiative lifetime τ_r, for ⁵S₂ emission levels in the spectra of these glasses have been evaluated. The radiative lifetime for ⁵S₂ level of Ho³⁺ ions has also been measured and quantum efficiencies were estimated. Among the three glasses studied the La₂O₃ mixed glass exhibited the highest quantum efficiency. The reasons for such higher value have been discussed based on the relationship between the structural modifications taking place around the Ho³⁺ ions.     

Electronic structure and the infrared absorption and Raman spectra of the semiconductor clusters C24, B12N12, Si12C12, Zn12O12, and Ga12N12

The optimized configurations, electronic structures, charge transfers, band gaps, total energies, cohesive energies, electron density maps, infrared absorption spectra, Raman spectra, and relevant modes of natural acoustic vibrations for the semiconductor clusters C₂₄, B₁₂N₁₂, Si₁₂C₁₂, Zn₁₂O₁₂, and Ga₁₂N₁₂ are calculated using the ab initio Hartree-Fock method in the 6–31G basis set. Original Russian Text ? V.V. Pokropivny, L.I. Ovsyannikova, 2007, published in Fizika Tverdogo Tela, 2007, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 535–542.