Angle-resolved photoemission from the valence bands of NiTe2, PdTe2and PtTe2

Angle-resolved ultraviolet photoelectron spectra from the valence bands of NiTe 2 , PdTe 2 and PtTe 2 are presented and their empirical band structures along high-symmetry directions of the Brillouin zone are determined. Photon polarisation-dependent data together with photoionisation cross section behaviour give the position and character of the metal d bands at the Gamma point. The positions of these filled metal d bands are found to shift progressively to higher binding energies from Ni to Pd to Pt. Spectral features are discussed in terms of the details of theoretical band structure calculations (especially for PdTe 2 ), as are also implications for superconductivity in the compounds.