Applications of core level spectroscopy to adsorbates

In the following review different applications of core-level spectroscopy to atomic and molecular adsorbates will be shown. Core-holes are created through core-level ionization and X-ray absorption processes and the core-hole decays by radiant and non-radiant processes. This forms the basis for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy. We will demonstrate how we can use the different methods to obtain information about the chemical state, local geometric structure, nature of chemical bonding and dynamics in electron transfer processes. The adsorption of N-2 and CO on Ni(100) will be used as prototype systems for chemisorption while N-2 on graphite and Ar on Pt for physisorption. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.