  The zero temperature core-level photoemission spectrum is studied across the
metal to Mott insulator transition using dynamical mean-field theory and
Wilson's numerical renormalization group. An asymmetric power-law divergence is
obtained in the metallic phase with an exponent alpha(U,Q)-1 which depends on
the strength of both the Hubbard interaction U and the core-hole potential Q.
For Q <~ U_c/2 alpha decreases with increasing U and vanishes at the transition
(U -> U_c) leading to a symmetric peak in the insulating phase. For Q >~ U_c/2,
alpha remains finite close to the transition, but the integrated intensity of
the power-law vanishes and there is no associated peak in the insulator. The
weight and position of the remaining peaks in the spectra can be understood
within a molecular orbital approach.
