The Lβ₂valence band spectrum of niobium in the metal and in the α,β two‐phase region of the NbH system

Abstract

Abstract The Lβ 2 valence band spectrum of niobium in the metal and in the α,β two‐phase region of the niobium‐hydrogen system was investigated using a high resolving bent crystal spectrograph with photoelectric registration. The spectrum was excited in fluorescence. The atomic ratio [H]/[Nb] varied between 0.45 and 0.70. The spectrum of the niobium metal has the shape of an asymmetric line with long tailing on the low energy side. In the NbH system a new emission band arises within the low energy tailing; in addition the line is slightly shifted towards higher energies. It is suggested that the new emission band is due to transitions from an energy band which is responsible for the NbH bonding.