The detection of light elements by X-ray emission spectroscopy with use of low-energy satellite peaks

Abstract

A method for the indirect detection of light elements, L(L C, N, O or F), by using X-ray emission spectroscopy is described. The technique relies upon the formation of certain low-energy satellite peaks to those X-ray emission peaks which originate from electronic transitions involving the valence shell of an element, A, when A—L bonds are made. The energy difference between the main peak and the satellite peak is characteristic of the ligand (F, 20 ± 1 eV; O, 14 ± 2 eV; N, 9 ± 2 eV; and C, about 5 eV). Applications to compounds that contain more than one type of ligand are described and experimental limitations are discussed.