X-ray-absorption near-edge structure spectra for bulk materials: Multiple-scattering analysis versus a phenomenological approach

X-ray-absorption near-edge structure data evaluations, based on a simple approach to determine bond lengths directly from features of the spectra, have frequently been reported in the literature. This approach is discussed critically taking into account multiple-scattering calculations as well as previously published experimental and theoretical data. All results together demonstrate that this approach can be used for simple molecules, but becomes questionable for condensed-matter analysis.