Selective Excitation of X-ray Emission Spectra

While x-ray emission spectroscopy is a relatively old technique, it takes on important new characteristics when samples are selectively excited by a carefully prepared beam of x-rays. This method is made practical by the availability of synchrotron radiation sources and it extends the capabilities of the traditional technique. Both the energy and the polarization of the excitation x-rays can have significant effects on the emission spectra. Selective control of these parameters can provide specific information on both the electronic structure and the atomic structure of molecules or solids. Examples of the new types of studies include: Satellite free x-ray emission, multi-vacancy excitation, polarized x-ray excitation and emission, and state selective excitation of neutral atoms and molecules.