Quantification of Ni L_2,3 core-hole relaxation pathways utilizing Auger photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy

Ni LVV Auger spectra, in coincidence with the corresponding 2p(1/2), 2p(3/2), and 6 eV satellite photoelectrons, have been used to examine electron correlation and itinerance effects in Ni. In coincidence with the 2p(3/2) core level, the Auger spectral shape is represented by localized 3d(8) and itinerant valence final states with an additional 3d(7) Auger shake-up contribution. The spectra in coincidence with the 6 eV satellite probe the decay of localized 2p(5)3d(9) double hole states, leading to 3d(7) final states. It is found that a fraction of the double hole states delocalize before the Auger decay. A similar delocalization is observed for the double hole states produced by the L2L3M45 Coster-Kronig process, and the delocalization rates have been determined.