Soft x-ray spectra of Cu in the BSCCO system — An electron microprobe study

Abstract

The L x-ray spectrum of Cu is extremely sensitive to the environment of Cu. The electron transitions are from orbitals potentially involved in bonding of the Cu with O and so their energy levels are sensitive to variations in the CuO polyhedra. We have determined complete L x-ray spectra for several crystalline and glass phases in the BSCCO system and attempt to relate the spectra to such parameters as pressure, crystal system (if relevant), and valence state of Cu. The ratio of the intensities of the Lα and Lβ x-rays and the energy of the centrum of each peak as well as details of the shapes of the peaks all show variation with each of these parameters. The interplay between the different variations is not simply additive and each should be considered independently.