Soft x-ray spectroscopy experiments on the near K-edge of B in MB2 (M=Mg, Al, Ta, and Nb)

Abstract

Soft X-ray absorption and emission measurements are performed for the K- edge of B in MB$_2$ (M=Mg, Al, Ta and Nb). Unique feature of MgB$_2$ with a high density of B 2$p_{xy}(σ)$-state below and above the Fermi edge, which extends to 1 eV above the edge, is confirmed. In contrast, the B 2$p$ density of states in AlB$_2$ and TaB$_2$, both of occupied and unoccupied states, decreased linearly towards the Fermi energy and showed a dip at the Fermi energy. Furthermore, there is a broadening of the peaks with $pσ$-character in XES and XAS of AlB$_2$, which is due to the increase of three dimensionality in the $pσ$-band in AlB$_2$. The DOS of NbB$_2$ has a dip just below the Fermi energy. The present results indicate that the large DOS of B-2$pσ$ states near the Fermi energy are crucial for the superconductivity of MgB$_2$.

3 pages text and 4 pages figures. accepted for publication to Phys. Rev. B