An investigation of the use of the Hedin-Lundqvist exchange and correlation potential in EXAFS data analysis

In real systems, inelastic processes remove photoelectrons from the elastic scattering channel. This reduces the amplitude of the EXAFS. Traditionally the discrepancies between experimental and theoretical amplitudes were treated by including two semi-empirical reduction factors in the data analysis. Some inelastic effects may, however, be modelled more rigorously using a complex exchange and correlation potential, for example the Hedin-Lundqvist (HL) potential used in most EXAFS data-analysis programs. In this paper a systematic study of the effects of the HL potential on the calculated EXAFS amplitudes is presented. Expressions are derived whereby the EXAFS amplitudes may be examined in the presence of an arbitrary complex potential independently to the rest of the EXAFS signal. These results are used to study the effects of the HL potential on EXAFS data analysis in detail

Multiple-electron excitation in X-ray absorption: a screened model of the core-hole-photoelectron potential

The probability of secondary electron shake-off in X-ray absorption is calculated using a model form for the time- and energy-dependent core-hole-photoelectron potential, screened by the single plasmon pole dielectric function of the surrounding material. The resultant excitation probabilities are related to the energy-dependent intrinsic loss function in EXAFS data analysis and compared with experiment. Reasonable agreement is obtained close to the absorption edge although the calculation is less accurate at higher photon energies. The theory described allows the losses to be calculated with little computational effort, making the method suitable for routine EXAFS data analysis

Amplitude Reduction in EXAFS.

In real systems, inelastic processes remove photoelectrons from the elastic scattering channel. This reduces the amplitude of the EXAFS causing disagreement between the experimental and theoretically predicted amplitudes. Traditionally these discrepancies were treated by including two semi empirical reduction factors in the data analysis; a mean free path term, which models the so called extrinsic loss processes, and a constant amplitude reduction factor which accounts for many electron excitations at the absorbing atom. The extrinsic inelastic effects may, however, be modelled more rigorously using a complex exchange and correlation potential. For example the Hedin-Lundqvist (H-L) potential used in most EXAFS data analysis programs. We present a method by which the losses caused by such a potential may be evaluated quickly and easily in the first Born approximation. The losses produced by the H-L potential significantly overestimate those produced by the mean free path alone. Instead the losses appear to agree well with the total reduction given by the semi-empirical reduction factors. These losses do not exhibit the correct low or high energy behaviour but do show excellent agreement with experiment over the range of a typical EXAFS spectrum. We therefore conclude, that the semi-empirical reduction parameters should not be included when data fitting using the H-L potential

Multiple-electron excitation in X-ray absorption: a simple generic model. Erratum

Two typographical errors have been observed in the paper by Roy et al. [J. Synchrotron Rad. (2001), 8, 1103-1108]

Multiple-electron excitation in X-ray absorption: a simple generic model

The probability of multiple-electron excitation in X-ray absorption is calculated using a simple generic model. The model permits calculations to be made for all atoms with little input data or computing effort. The high-energy limit of this probability, which gives the usual EXAFS amplitude reduction factor, is calculated in the `sudden approximation' using Slater orbitals. Good agreement with experiment is found. The energy dependence of this probability is also calculated using a simple model form of perturbing potential and found to agree well with experiment for rare gas atoms. The effect on the X-ray absorption coefficient of including multiple-electron excitations is also determined and is found to be small, again in agreement with observation

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure studies of the atomic structure of nanoparticles in different metallic matrices

It has been appreciated for some time that the novel properties of particles in the size range 1–10 nm are potentially exploitable in a range of applications. In order to ultimately produce commercial devices containing nanosized particles, it is necessary to develop controllable means of incorporating them into macroscopic samples. One way of doing this is to embed the nanoparticles in a matrix of a different material, by co-deposition for example, to form a nanocomposite film. The atomic structure of the embedded particles can be strongly influenced by the matrix. Since some of the key properties of materials, including magnetism, strongly depend on atomic structure, the ability to determine atomic structure in embedded nanoparticles is very important. This review focuses on nanoparticles, in particular magnetic nanoparticles, embedded in different metal matrices. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) provides an excellent means of probing atomic structure in nanocomposite materials, and an overview of this technique is given. Its application in probing catalytic metal clusters is described briefly, before giving an account of the use of EXAFS in determining atomic structure in magnetic nanocomposite films. In particular, we focus on cluster-assembled films comprised of Fe and Co nanosized particles embedded in various metal matrices, and show how the crystal structure of the particles can be changed by appropriate choice of the matrix material. The work discussed here demonstrates that combining the results of structural and magnetic measurements, as well as theoretical calculations, can play a significant part in tailoring the properties of new magnetic cluster-assembled materials