Energy calibration and intensity normalization in high-resolution NEXAFS spectroscopy

Using high-brilliance synchrotron radiation and an ultrahigh-resolution monochromator a wealth of new fine structures can be observed in near-edge X-ray absorption spectra. The potential information gain, however, requires an accurate calibration of the energy scale and a perfect intensity normalization in order to avoid erroneous results, e.g., the occurrence of spurious peaks. By means of the most problematic C 1s edge it is shown how large these effects can be and how appropriate energy calibration and intensity normalization can be achieved. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.