Spectroscopy with γ Rays

Abstract

Increasing the quantum energy beyond the x rays leads to the spectral range of γ radiation. This radiation originates from a relaxation of excited and quantized states of the nuclei. Even with these very hard light quanta spectroscopy in solids can be very useful. The subject was triggered in 1958 when R. Möβbauer reported for the first time recoil free resonance absorption for γ rays. This technique is now known as Möβbauer spectroscopy. Additional spectroscopic methods were developed on the basis of an angular correlation of γ rays which enable information to be obtained about the chemical environment of special nuclei inserted into the lattice.