Photoabsorption and photoemission of magnesium diboride at the Mg K edge.

The Mg K edge photoabsorption spectrum and the B 1s, Mg 1s, Mg 2p and valence band photoemission spectra of polycrystalline magnesium diboride have been measured. The photoabsorption spectra of the diboride and the oxide, which is present as an impurity, were separated by measuring the Auger electron partial yield at electron energies characteristic of each phase. The spectra are consistent with published calculations of the density of unoccupied p symmetry states. Better agreement is obtained with calculations for the ground state of the system than with ones for the excited state. Valence band photoemission spectra were measured at photon energies corresponding to core resonances, but, within the signal to noise level of the spectra, no resonant enhancement was observed. This is consistent with the delocalized nature of the valence band.