The YbNi interface studied with photoemission spectroscopy

The development of the ytterbium valence band region was followed with Synchrotron radiation induced Photoemission Spectroscopy (SPS) by interdiffusion of Yb into a Ni (110) single crystal in order to identify the valence conditions of Yb in the bulk and on the surface. During this process, also the width of the Ni L₃VV Auger transition was investigated with X-ray induced Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), reflecting the electron donation of Yb to the Ni valence band. By comparison between theory and experiment, strong multiplet splittings were found to take place in the 4d and 5p core level spectra of Yb due to the promotion of one 4f electron to the valence band by reaction with Ni. The 5p level is demonstrated to resonate strongly at hν=181 as a consequence of the 4d–4f giant resonance.