X-ray absorption fine structure

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is a technique used to study the local environment of atoms in a material. When X-rays hit a sample, some energy is absorbed, allowing researchers to see how nearby atoms influence this absorption. By analyzing the resulting patterns, scientists can learn about the arrangement of atoms, their distances from each other, and their chemical states. This information is valuable in fields like materials science, chemistry, and biology, helping to understand complex structures and interactions at the atomic level.