X-ray absorption spectra: K-edges of 3d transition metals,L-edges of 3d and 4d metals,and M-edges of palladium

The X-ray absorption spectra of the 3d and 4d transition metals have been calculated within the single-particle approximation by a new linearized augmented plane wave method. The spectra, calculated with sharp atomic and band-structure single-particle levels, have been convoluted with a Lorentzian broadening function whose width is the sum of that of the core hole and the excited electrons. Plots are shown for (i) the K-edge fine structures up to at least 100 eV above the edge for Ca, Ti, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn, (ii) the L_{2, 3} white lines for Ca, Ti, Cr, Co, and Cu, (iii) the L₃ white lines for Sr, Zr, Nb, Ru, Rh, and Pd, and (iv) the M_{2, 3} and M_4,5 spectrum of Pd. Systematic features which depend on the crystal structure and the placement of the Fermi level with conduction band are briefly discussed.