An investigation of the 3d, 4p, and 4d photoelectron spectra of La(OH${)}_3$ is reported. The photoionization process creates final states I and II, a core hole and a core hole with a transfer of an electron from the ${\mathrm{OH}}^{\mathrm{-}}$ ligands to a ${\mathrm{La}}^{4+}$ 4f orbital, respectively. Spectroscopic evidence strongly suggests that final state I {(${\mathrm{La}}^{4+}$ 3$d^1$4$f^0$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$), [${\mathrm{La}}^{4+}$(4$p_{3/2}$${)}^1$5$d^0$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$], or (${\mathrm{La}}^{4+}$ 4$d^1$4$f^0$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$)} is at a lower binding energy than final state II {(${\mathrm{La}}^{3+}$ 3$d^1$4$f^1$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$-$e^{\mathrm{-}}$), [${\mathrm{La}}^{3+}$ (4$p_{3/2}$${)}^1$5$d^1$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$-$e^{\mathrm{-}}$], or (${\mathrm{La}}^{3+}$ 4$d^1$4$f^1$, ${9\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{-}}$-$e^{\mathrm{-}}$)}. The energy difference between final states I and II can be explained quite readily through the reconciliation of the interatomic secondary electron coexcitation theory (‘‘shake up’’) and the extra-atomic relaxation theory (‘‘shake down’’ or ‘‘well screened’’). Multiplet structures of the final state II related to the electron-hole exchange are clearly observed.

• Received 15 October 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.31.4039