Fundamentals of X-ray absorption and dichroism: The multiplet approach

Abstract

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has become an important tool for the characterization of materials as well as for fundamental studies of atoms, molecules, adsorbates, surfaces, liquids and solids. The particular assets of XAS spectroscopy are its element specificity and the possibility to obtain detailed information without the presence of any long range ordering. Below it will be shown that the X-ray absorption spectrum in many cases is closely related to the empty density of states of a system. As such XAS is able to provide a detailed picture of the local electronic structure of the element studied. © 2006 Springer.