Theory of Auger spectra for molecular-field-split core levels

Orientational anisotropy due to molecular field splitting in sulfur 2p photoemission from CS2 and SF6 - theoretical treatment and application to photoelectron recoil

Photoelectron recoil strongly modifies the high kinetic energy photoemission spectra from atoms and molecules as well as from surface structures. In most cases studied so far, photoemission from atomic-like inner-shell or core orbitals has been assumed to be isotropic in the molecular frame of reference. However, in the presence of molecular field splitting of p or d orbitals, this assumption is not justified per se. We present a general theoretical treatment, linking the orientational distribution of gas-phase molecules to the electron emission and detection in a certain direction in the laboratory frame. The approach is then applied to the S 2p photoemission from a linear molecule such as CS2 and we investigate, how the predicted orientational anisotropies due to molecular field splitting affect the photoelectron recoil excitations. Lastly, experimental S 2p high-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectra of SF6 and CS2 are analyzed using the modeled recoil lineshapes representing the anisotropy-affected recoil effects.

Application of the Van Cittert Algorithm for Deconvolving Loss Features in X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Spectra

The convolution of two physical entities, denoted as f and g, delineates the manner in which one entity undergoes modification in response to the other. This transformative process is mathematically represented by the expression f ⨂ g, symbolizing the convolution of the two entities in a resultant function h. Frequently, it becomes imperative to comprehend the magnitude of the induced modifications. From the derived function h, a crucial step involves the separation of the two original signals, a process commonly referred to as deconvolution. Various techniques have been proposed to facilitate the calculation of the deconvolution, with one notable approach originating in 1931 by van Cittert. The algorithm, based on an iterative method, has been scrutinized over time, notably by Bracewell and, more recently, by Jansson. This work represents the current state-of-the-art, focusing specifically on the analysis of Auger spectra obtained through XPS. Emphasis is placed on delineating the procedural aspects of the analysis, and the algorithm utilized in the open-source software RxpsG is comprehensively described.

Angular distribution of Auger electrons from fixed-in-space and rotating C 1s-->2pi photoexcited CO: theory

The one-center approach for molecular Auger decay is applied to predict the angular distribution of Auger electrons from rotating and fixed-in-space molecules. For that purpose, phase shifts between the Auger decay amplitudes have been incorporated in the atomic model. The approach is applied to the resonant Auger decay of the photoexcited C 1s-->2pi resonance in carbon monoxide. It is discussed how the symmetry of the final ionic state is related to features in the angular distributions and a parametrization for the molecular frame Auger electron angular distribution is suggested. The angular distribution of Auger electrons after partial orientation of the molecule by the sigma-->pi-excitation process is also calculated and compared to available experimental and theoretical data. The results of the one-center approach are at least of the same quality as the available theoretical data even though the latter stem from a much more sophisticated method. As the one-center approximation can be applied with low computational demand even to extended systems, the present approach opens a way to describe the angular distribution of Auger electrons in a wide variety of applications.

Fragmentation dynamics of H2S following S 2p photoexcitation

The fragmentation dynamics of core-excited H(2)S has been studied by means of partial anion and cation yield measurements around the S L(2,3)-subshell ionization thresholds. All detectable ionic fragments are reported, and significant differences between partial ion yields are observed. Possible dissociation pathways are discussed by comparison to previous studies of electron spectra.

Probing the molecular environment using spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

Angle- and spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with linearly and circularly polarized synchrotron radiation were used to study the electronic structure of model triatomic molecules, hydrogen sulfide, and carbonyl sulfide. The spin-polarization measurements of the molecular field split components of the S 2p photolines revealed a strong effect of the different molecular environments. The validity of simple atomic models to explain the results is discussed.