X-ray spectroscopic investigation of some chromium compounds

The intensity distribution of theKα doublet in chromium metal and some of its compounds, CrB, CrSb, Cr₂Te₃, K₂CrO₄, and CaCrO₄, has been investigated by means of a high resolution X-ray spectrometer provided with a bent topaz crystal (radius one meter). From the results obtained it seems that the bonding of Cr is largely metallic in CrB while it is largely covalent in the CaCrO₄ and Cr₂Te₃ compounds. On the other hand, the bonding is essentially ionic in K₂CrO₄ while it is both ionic and covalent in CrSb. The line width of the six valence compounds are found to be larger than that of chromium metal. This shows that the 2p— 3d electrons interaction is not mainly responsible for the large line width found. It may probably be attributed to the crystal field.