<title>X-ray absorption spectroscopy with polarized synchrotron radiation</title>

Abstract

X-ray absorption spectroscopy based on the polarized nature of synchrotron radiation is considered. It is concluded that linearly polarized radiation can be used for studying the anisotropic nature of electronic and atomic structure by measuring X-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra of single crystals or oriented powders. Circularly polarized radiation can be used for studying the spin density of final electronic states in a magnetic system. Particular attention is given to experimental results on absorption of linearly polarized radiation through a highly anisotropic medium of oriented copper oxides at the Cu K-edge.