Edge effects in Auger spectroscopy for the early transition metals

We report Auger experiments for Sc and Ti which seem to indicate an attractive interaction between the valence electrons in these metals. To explain the spectra we propose a mechanism which does not involve interactions among the valence electrons, but instead is caused by the potential of the core hole in the Auger initial state. This electrostatic potential will induce final state effects analogous to the situation found in x-ray spectrosocpy. These effects will shift the Auger line to higher energies, in accordance with the experimental finding. We perform cluster calculations that give quantitative support to the proposed explanation. © 1986 The American Physical Society.