XPS satellites in transition metal oxides

Abstract

The core levels of different transition metal oxides have been measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All core level lines are accompanied by a complex satellite structure which is similar for all core lines. These satellites originate from shake processes. The different electronic transitions leading to the satellite lines are identified and conclusions about the unoccupied electronic states are drawn. Furthermore, we have deduced information about the covalency of the metal-oxygen bond.