Fine structure in the quadrupolar transition of the Ho L 3 pre-edge observed by lifetime-broadening-suppressed XANES spectroscopy

What is it about?

The 2p3d resonant inelastic x-ray-scattering spectra of Ho2O3 are measured under 0.7 eV resolution and analyzed in terms of an equation based on the Kramers-Heisenberg formula. Broadening due to core-hole lifetime (4.26 eV) is completely suppressed to give sharp absorption bands with width of ~0.5 eV together with energy position uncertainty ~0.3 eV. Observed bands are assigned to be well-known 2p→4f quadrupolar transitions that are otherwise buried under lifetime-broadened intense 2p→5d dipole transition. The present work opens up an opportunity to study 4f-5d interactions more accurately.

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Why is it important?

The detailed analysis of the pre-edge fine-structure of Ho compounds by RIXS.