The soft X-ray spectra of lithium, magnesium and aluminium and their alloys

Abstract

The Li K and Mg L₂₃ spectra have been observed from a range of Li-Mg alloys, evidence for electron transfer from Mg being obtained. More distinct changes have been observed for the same spectra when Li was evaporated onto solid Mg and Mg onto solid Li. Changes in the Li K and Al L₂₃ were observed when Li was evaporated onto Al and in the Al L₂₃ when Al was evaporated onto Mg. No changes greater than 5 × 10⁻² ev were observed in edge wavelengths or edge widths although marked depopulation of higher energy states occurred in Mg and Al. It is inferred that changes in the screening of K and L levels compensate almost exactly for the effects of electron transfer. The results of Catterall and Trotter (1959) were confirmed in that the Mg band contracted and the Li band extended on the low-energy side. Li deposited on Al shows a K spectrum without any metal edge, suggesting that the first zone is filled and that there is no overlap with the second zone.