Splitting of 3p Spectra of Transition-Metal Ions in X-Ray Photoemission of VCl₃, CrCl₃ and CrBr₃

Abstract

X-ray photoemission spectra of the 3p electrons of transition-metal ions in VCl₃, CrCl₃ and CrBr₃ have been measured. The results are compared with the existing theoretical spectra calculated on the basis of the ligand field theory. The spectra of V³⁺ and Cr³⁺ can be explained to some extent by the multiplet splitting due to the interaction between 3d electrons and a 3p hole in the crystal field. In contrast with the case of Ni²⁺, the values of the Slater-Condon parameters for V³⁺ and Cr³⁺ in their halides are nearly equal to those of the free ions and the effect of the hole-induced covalency has little influence on the spectra.