The L23VV Auger spectrum of magnesium

Abstract

An analysis of the N(E) L₂₃VV Auger spectrum of magnesium is presented. The self-deconvolution of the spectrum is made which permits a direct comparison with valence band density of states. The resulting function does not correlate with the bulk density of states but is peaked nearer to the Fermi level. It is unambiguously shown that the low-energy side structure must be attributed to a plasmon-loss process. A nonconclusive discussion of this loss process is made in terms of intrinsic or extrinsic processes, by taking the energy-loss spectra at the same incident energy as that of Auger electrons.