Dissecting the metallic Fe <i>2p</i> photoemission spectrum

Abstract

The metallic Fe 2p photoemission spectrum poses strong theoretical and analytical challenges. Its multiplet structure cannot be calculated with existing codes. Peak-fitting has been extremely elusive, with no reports in the literature showing possible peak components. Based on the comparison of the spectra for various iron film thickness, a primary function and a multiplet structure for the metallic Fe 2p spectrum is proposed. The fitting method involved state-of-theart tools such as simultaneous-fitting and the active background approach. A very interesting finding is that the relative strength of its multiplet components is modulated with film thickness.