Exchange splitting in ferromagnetic nickel

An estimate of the exchange splitting between the up and down spin bands in ferromagnetic Ni is made on the basis of the `strong intra-atomic interaction' model, account being taken of the major electron correlation effects. A splitting of about 0.4 eV at the top of the d band is obtained. It is shown that in the strong interaction model the exchange interaction between electrons in orthogonal orbitals leads to a negligible correction for Ni.