NEXAFS measurement of the p-symmetry unoccupied states of silver, palladium and palladium silicide

The density of unoccupied p states of silver, palladium, and palladium silicide has been measured for the first time with high resolution by x-ray absorption at the MIV,V edges. Our results show that the MIV,V-edge spectra yield information for 4d metals similar to that provided by K and LI edge measurement on 3d metals. The densities of states are in agreement with theoretical predictions both in regard to energy and relative intensity. Changes in the palladium MIV,V spectra on silicide formation give the first direct evidence of the role of Pd 5p states in compound formation.