Core-valence coupling in the Ru 4p photoexcitation/Auger decay process: Auger-photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy study

The N23VV Auger spectrum of Ru has been measured in coincidence with 4p(1/2 ) and with 4p(3/2) photoelectrons, Unlike other metals that exhibit bandlik e Auger decays, we find that the two Auger spectra are not shifted by-the d ifference in core level binding energies, A consistent description of these transitions and the core level line shape requires consideration of the re lativistic multiplet splitting in the intermediate core hole state and two- valence-hole Auger final state. The results suggest that the large linewidt h of the 4p levels is primarily due to multiplet splitting, and that an N-2 (N3N45)N45N45 super-Coster-Kronig transition is only a minor decay channel.