Spin-polarized photoemission study of the Fe 3s multiplet

The results of a spin-polarized photoemission study of the Fe 3s level clearly reveal the multiplet structure characterizing the final states of the excitation process. The energy separation between the high-spin and low-spin ionic states of 3.5 eV is smaller than has previously been measured, to our knowledge. The two spin components of the high-spin ionic state are clearly resolved and shown to be separated in binding energy by 0.9 eV. Line-shape fitting provides evidence that the individual peak widths reflect the total spin of the ionic final state rather than the spin of the core hole.