XANES

X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) is a technique used to study the electronic structure and local environment of specific elements within a material. When X-rays are directed at a sample, atoms absorb certain energies depending on their type and surroundings. By analyzing these absorption patterns near the absorption edge of an element, scientists can infer details about its oxidation state, coordination, and bonding. This insight helps in understanding material properties, chemical reactions, and environmental processes at a microscopic level, making XANES a valuable tool in fields like chemistry, geology, and materials science.