Kβ X-Ray Emission and K X-Ray Absorption Spectra of Sulfur in Sulfate Compounds

With a two-crystal vacuum spectrometer, the sulfur Kβ emission spectra in fluorescence are measured for a series of alkali, alkaline-earth and hydrated 3d transition-metal salts with the SO 4 2- ion. In addition, the sulfur K absorption spectra in a series of hydrated 3d transition-metal sulfates are measured with a bent-quartz-crystal vacuum spectrograph. The measured Kβ emission and K absorption spectra are presented along with the sulfur K absorption spectra of alkali and alkaline-earth sulfates reported previously. It is shown that the Kβ emission and K absorption spectra of sulfur in alkali and alkaline-earth sulfates are influenced by the cations, while those of hydrated 3d transition-metal sulfates are little affected by the metal ions. The sulfur Kβ emission spectra and the sulfur K absorption spectra are interpreted in terms of the molecular orbitals of the SO 4 2- ion.