X-ray emission and Mossbauer spectra and electronic structure of ScFe2Si2 and HfFe2S2compounds

Abstract

The valence band electronic structure of compounds with the HfFe2S2 crystal lattice type has been established for the first time based on X-ray emission spectroscopy measurements. Band structure and theoretical spectra of X-ray emission bands of atoms located in non-equivalent crystallographic positions are calculated by means of the LMTO method. A satisfactory agreement between theoretical and experimental data is achieved. As it can be seen from the performed calculations and experimental data, the s-states of Si hybridize with the p-states Sc (Hf) and Fe and are located at the bottom of valence band. Contribution of the s-symmetry electrons to the chemical bond is substantially different for Si atoms located in non-equivalent crystallographic positions. 57Fe Mossbauer absorption measurements confirm iron atoms occupying non-equivalent positions in the crystal lattice.