The CuKAbsorption Edges of the Cuprous Halides

Abstract

The x-ray $K$ absorption edges of copper in crystalline CuCl, CuBr, and CuI have been measured with a double crystal spectrometer. Near the edge the experimental curves have been analyzed into component absorption lines. The most intense absorption maximum is due to excitation of the $K$ electron into the $4p$ level of the absorbing ion. However, the line structure is too complex to be completely explained by the unperturbed optical levels of ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{+}$ or by any perturbation of these levels arising from crystalline fields. It is suggested that the excited electron is shared with neighboring ions even in the lowest states.