Reflection electron-energy-loss investigation of the electronic and structural properties of palladium

The versatility of electron-energy-loss spectroscopy for investigating the electronic as well as the structural properties of a bulk sample is shown. The technique should be considered a powerful tool for ranging from low to high energies in the same experimental apparatus. The electronic properties of palladium are interpreted in detail within band-structure framework and confirmed through a systematic investigation of adjacent transition metals. The structural properties obtained by analyzing extended energy-loss fine structures above shallow core levels are presented in the form of the radial distribution function. These extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure---like oscillations detected above the N₂₃ and M₄₅ core levels of Pd support the signal interpretation scheme of the high-energy-loss range.