Parametrization of Kβ′′ and Kβ2,5 X-ray contributions in Kβ spectra of 3d transition metal compounds

Abstract

Large database of high resolution Kβ X-ray emission spectra of selected 3d metal (Ti, V, Cr, Mn) compounds obtained after excitation by 2 and 3 MeV proton beams have been built. Analysis of (relative) positions and intensities of Kβ′′ and Kβ2,5 X-ray contributions as a function of chemical and structural properties of analyzed 3d metal compounds have been performed. Two independent experiments employing wavelength dispersive spectrometers with different experimental resolutions (8.1 eV versus 2.8 eV for the case of Cr Kβ1,3 line FWHM) were performed in order to exclude any possible effect of the experimental resolution on the extracted values. A simple parametrization of Kβ′′ and Kβ2,5 X-rays' relative positions and intensities over the range of 3d metal compounds with various oxidation states, a wide range of metal–ligand bond lengths, and selected 3d metals, was performed. Results of our parametrization were compared critically with other experimental and theoretical values available in the literature. The parametrization obtained in this work could be used for chemical and structural speciation of 3d metal compounds and for improved interpretation of K X-ray spectra of 3d transition metal compounds measured by solid state detectors.