Splitting of the3plevels in the transition elements and their oxides

Systematic measurements have been made on the $K{\beta }_{1,3}$ emission lines of the transition elements $21\le Z\le 29$. Each element was studied in the metallic state and also in one of its oxidized states. The energy separation $\Delta E$ between the $3p_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and the $3p_{\frac{3}{2}}$ levels in these elements varies from about 3.4 eV for ${}_{}{}^{29}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cu}$ to about 2.0 eV for ${}_{}{}^{21}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sc}$, and therefore the $K{\beta }_{1,3}$ complex almost appears as a single emission line under the present experimental conditions. The exchange interaction between the $3d$ and the $3p$ electrons in these elements causes some of the electrons in the $3p$ state to move to lower energy levels; transitions from these levels appear as emission bands at the low-energy side of the $K{\beta }_{1,3}$ complex. A computer program was devised to unfold the complex structures and provide values for the mean energy separation $\Delta E$ and the relative transition probabilities of the constituent lines. For all the elements studied, the effect of oxidation seems to enhance the relative intensity of the low-energy emission band, without significantly altering the value of $\Delta E$. Comparison of the present experimental results with theoretical values derived on the basis of a simple exchange interaction exhibits good agreement on the value of the mean energy separation $\Delta E$, but shows large discrepancies in the relative transition probabilities.