A measure of the Fe 3d partial density of states (DOS) in the valence
bands of Cd0.89Fe0.11Se single-phase single crystals has been obtained
using synchrotron-radiation photoemission. Based on an analysis of th
e Fe 3d DOS spectrum in terms of a configuration-interaction calculati
on on a Fe2+(Se2-)(4) model cluster, we find that the spectral intensi
ties in the top 6 eV are predominantly due to transitions to d(6)L fin
al-state configuration, where L represents a ligand hole. On the other
hand, those at 7-15 eV originate mainly from transitions to the d(5)
configuration. The model calculation provides the Fe 3d Coulomb correl
ation energy of 4.5 eV.