The energy distribution of the valence band states of cubic beta-HgS w
as investigated by means of photoemission spectroscopy. The energy pos
itions of the spectral features observed were used to determine band e
nergies at high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone. Changes in the
binding energy of Hg 5d states in cubic mercury chalcogenides were ana
lyzed and the role of the interaction between Hg 5d and S 3p states in
beta-HgS was estimated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.