X-ray absorption spectroscopy

DOI: 10.1038/s43586-024-00366-8

Authors: Christopher T. Chantler (The University of Melbourne) , Grant Bunker (Illinois Institute of Technology) , Paola D'Angelo (University of Roma 'La Sapienza') , Sofia Diaz-Moreno (Diamond Light Source)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Reviews Methods Primers , VOL 4

State: Published (Approved)
Published: December 2024

Abstract: X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is an established experimental technique for studying the electronic and local geometric structures of materials. As a short-range order structural probe, it can be applied to all states of matter: crystalline or amorphous solids, liquids and gases. The method is element selective and highly sensitive, with little compromise required to integrate complex sample environment set-ups. These characteristics make the technique suitable for applications in a range of scientific disciplines, from chemistry and catalysis to environmental science, materials science, physics, biology, medicine and cultural heritage. An XAS spectrum is obtained by measuring the modulation of the sample absorption coefficient as a function of the incident X-ray beam energy. Data are usually collected in transmission detection mode, although fluorescence and electron yield detection modes are often used. The XAS spectrum is divided into two regimes: X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure. In this Primer, an overview of XAS fundamentals is given, together with a description of the experimental set-ups, sample requirements, data analysis and possible applications.

Subject Areas: Materials


Technical Areas:

Added On: 18/12/2024 15:16

Discipline Tags:

Materials Science

Technical Tags: