Multispectral X-ray Spectroscopy of Actinide Compounds

Understanding the electronic structure and chemical bonding properties of the actinide (An) elements poses a great challenge [1-13]. The core-to-core and valence band resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (CC/VB-RIXS) and high energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure (HR-XANES) techniques measured at the An M4,5 and L2,3 absorption edges or ligand K edges probe the occupied and unoccupied parts of the valence band of the actinide elements with extraordinary energy resolution and in combination with computational quantum chemistry detailed information on the chemical bonding can be obtained [1-13].
Examples of oxidation states studies of systems containing actinides in metalorganic compounds [1,6,11], geochemical systems [5], nanoparticles [9] and spent nuclear fuel will be discussed. In addition, multi-absorption edges, multi-techniques approaches will be discussed from the actinide and ligand perspective for probing the bonding properties and more specifically the bond covalency of the actinide-ligand chemical bond [4,12,13].


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