X-ray spectroscopy

X-ray spectroscopy comprises methods that measure how matter emits, absorbs, or scatters X-rays to reveal elemental composition, chemical state, and atomic structure.

X-ray fluorescence: Emission of characteristic X-rays after an atom is excited by an energetic photon or particle. Its element-specific emission lines make elemental analysis possible.
Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy: An elemental-analysis technique that identifies characteristic X-ray energies using an energy-sensitive detector. It maps which elements occur in small regions of electron-microscope samples.
Electromagnetic spectrum: The full range of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by frequency or wavelength. X-rays occupy the high-energy region that enables element-specific transitions.
X-ray diffraction: A method that infers ordered structure from the angles and intensities of X-rays scattered by matter. Diffraction emphasizes periodic structure, while spectroscopy tracks energy-dependent interactions.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: A surface analysis method that infers elemental composition and chemical state from emitted photoelectron energies. Binding-energy shifts identify chemical states near a sample’s surface.
Wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy: An elemental-analysis technique that separates characteristic X-rays by wavelength using crystal diffraction. Its spectral resolution helps distinguish closely spaced elemental lines.
Atomic energy levels: Discrete allowed energies of electrons bound within an atom. Differences between these levels set characteristic X-ray transition energies.
Neutron spectroscopy: Methods that analyze neutron energy changes to probe excitations and structure in matter. Neutrons reveal different interactions and elements than X-ray probes.
X-ray emission spectroscopy: A method that analyzes X-rays emitted when an electronic vacancy is filled. Emission energies and line shapes probe occupied electronic states.
X-ray absorption near edge structure: The near-edge portion of an X-ray absorption spectrum, sensitive to oxidation state and local geometry. Near-edge features distinguish chemical states that elemental counts alone cannot resolve.

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