Comparison of the Sn L edge X-ray absorption spectra and the corresponding electronic structure in Sn, SnO, and SnO 2

Abstract

The Sn L 1,2,3 edge X-ray absorption spectra of Sn metal, SnO, and SnO 2 were measured and the assignment of the absorption features discussed. In Sn metal, the white line appeared at the L 1 edge only. While in SnO and SnO 2, it appeared at all the three L edges. This indicates that in Sn metal, the unoccupied states near the Fermi level are mainly of p symmetry, and the bound excited states in Sn oxides possess p and d symmetry. Two weak peaks were observed before the L 3 white line in Sn oxides, which reveals the s symmetry in the bound excited states. These two features were also observed in Sn metal with much weaker intensity, which reveals the hybridization of the s and p states in the band structure.