X-Ray Spectroscopy (XAS)

Why choose X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy?

X-ray absorption spectroscopy enables you to understand the electronic properties and the local structure of materials with chemical specificity.

The unique feature of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is its ability to investigate the local electronic and geometric information around a particular element, irrespective of its state or environment. This powerful technique is suitable for studying solids, liquids and even gases. Moreover, time-resolved XAS can be combined simultaneously with other complementary techniques to provide powerful analytical strategies for investigating the relationship between chemical structure, properties and the performance of studied materials.

Diamond has several beamlines performing XAS experiments, each of which is capable of running standard measurements, but which also provide specific set-ups to perform a wide variety of experiments. Each spectroscopy beamline operates at a different energy range; these vary between 80 eV and 35 keV at Diamond.

X-ray fluorescence mapping is also possible using our microfocus XAS beamlines.

Benefits of using XAS at Diamond

Allows XAS spectra to be collected within short periods of time due to the tuneability of the light source
Enables you to study a range of states: solids, liquids and even gases
Provides the flexibility to study materials under time resolved & in situ conditions
Can be combined simultaneously with other complementary techniques for deeper analysis of materials
Is not limited to crystalline materials
Has the capability to detect elements present in very low concentrations
Enables samples to be examined in very high spatial resolution.

Applications

Over the last 30 years the analysis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy data has provided insight into scientific problems across a variety of disciplines from physics, chemistry and biology through to materials science, environmental and geological science.

These include:

Material science/Nanomaterials

Probing structure-function relationships and interactions
Studying the composition of materials
Studying samples under realistic pressure/temperature
Designing and characterising novel materials
Studying failure mechanisms
Exploring processing conditions to improve the microstructure and engineering performance

Bio-materials & Biology

Designing new drug therapies
Studying the structure of material components and biochemical processes
Probing chemical changes related to key diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Studying the interaction between implants and surrounding tissues

Chemistry & Catalysis

Studying processes of poisoning and the activation of catalysts under extreme conditions eg. high temperature and pressure
Structural characterisation of various homogeneous catalysts applied in fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries
Understanding the structure and interactions of chemical reagents under environmental conditions

Energy storage

Following structural and electronic changes of electro-catalysts during processing under operating conditions
Investigating surface structure and ordering in thin films and coatings eg. polymer photovoltaics
Studying anode-cathode and electrode-electrolyte interfaces during oxidation and reduction

Environmental

Studying the processes used for the disposal of toxic materials
Tracking routes of pollutants in the natural environment
Studying metal speciation of toxic materials
Structural and electronic characterisation of radioactive materials

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X-Ray Spectroscopy (XAS)

Why choose X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy?

Benefits of using XAS at Diamond

Applications