L-edge x-ray absorption resonances in palladium silicides and palladium metal

The Pd L2, 3 white line absorption has been measured for Pd metal, Pd2Si, and PdSi to probe the variations in occupation of the Pd 4d states due to the rehybridization of the d band in the silicides. A reduction of the density of occupied states of d character in Pd2Si and PdSi with respect to Pd metal is found, in agreement with partial-density-of-states calculations for the hybrid-bonded silicides.