X-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy study of the electronic structure of Ni-P metallic glasses

X-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy studies of the core levels and the valence band for Ni₇₉P₂₁ and Ni₈₉P₁₁ glassy alloys are presented at room temperature and above their crystallization temperatures. The binding energy changes in Ni 2p₃/₂ and P 2p core-level lines and the variation in the satellite intensities as well as the changes in their asymmetry index are combined with Ni valence-band spectra and their satellite intensities to arrive at a comprehensive electronic structure for these alloys. The observed increase and decrease in the density of states at E₅ for Ni₈₉P₁₁ and Ni₇₉P₂₁ are discussed with reference to the short-range stability and glass-forming ability.