The historical development of X-ray Absorption Fine Spectroscopy and of its applications to Materials Science

摘要

This essay sketches the development of X-ray Absorption Fine Spectroscopy(XAFS) ever since the second half of 20th century. At that time, synchrotronsstarted competing with X-ray discharge tubes as the sources of the excitationable to show the pre- and near-edge structures (XANES) and extendedoscillations (EXAFS) that characterize the X-ray absorption edge of solidmatter. Actually, modern XAFS began after 1975, when the hard-X-ray synchrotronradiation derived from storage rings took over. Ever since, XAFS greatlycontributed to both technical refinement and to theoretical development ofMaterials Science. Although a unified theory of X-ray fine absorption has notbeen reached yet, many XAFS advancements benefited of theoretical models andcomplex calculations made possible by the continuous growth of the computingpower, while contributing to developing new or previously never used materials.