3d electron distribution in small nickel particles (X-ray emission and absorption spectra)

2p32/-3d emission and absorption spectra of nickel in small metallic crystalline particles are studied. The samples are thin nickel films prepared by vacuum deposition using the Al-Ni-Al sandwich method. Their structure is characterised by 50 keV electron diffraction. No important change in the filled density of states has been observed. The main modification concerns the s-d hybridised empty states; this result may be ascribed to the lack of long-range order due to the particle size.