The multiplet structure of the 3p photoelectron spectrum of atomic Sc

The 3p photoelectron spectrum of atomic scandium, the first 3d transition m etal, has been investigated experimentally using monochromatized synchrotro n radiation. The threshold energies for direct 3p photoionization have been extracted from the photoelectron spectrum. The 3p(-1) multiplet structure is discussed based on the predictions of Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations and recent results from multi-configuration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) calculations b y Altun and Manson (1999 Phys. Rev. A 59 3576). Due to the characteristics of the 3p(-1)3d configuration, scandium reveals a peculiar multiplet splitt ing, which differs significantly from those of other 3d transition metal at oms.