Photon-in/photon-out spectroscopy at the I20-scanning beamline at diamond light source

A scanning multi-crystal x-ray emission spectrometer to perform photon-in/photon-out spectroscopy at the I20-Scanning beamline at Diamond Light Source is described. The instrument, equipped with three analyzer crystals, is based on a 1 m Rowland circle spectrometer operating in the vertical plane. The energy resolution of the spectrometer is of the order of 1 eV, having sufficient resolving power to overcome the core-hole lifetime broadening of most of the transition metals K-edges. Examples showing the capability of the beamline for performing high energy resolution fluorescence detection x-ray absorption spectroscopy (HERFD-XAS), non-resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy are presented. The comparison of the Zn and Mn K-edge HERFD-XANES of ZnO and MnO with ab initio calculations shows that the technique provides enhanced validation of the models by making subtle spectral features more visible.

Automated summary

The multi-crystal x-ray emission spectrometer at the I20-Scanning beamline at Diamond Light Source is capable of photon-in/photon-out spectroscopy with high energy resolution, showcasing its abilities in various spectroscopic detections. Comparisons with ab initio calculations demonstrate that the technique enhances model validation by making subtle spectral features more visible.