On experimental attenuation factors of the amplitude of the EXAFS oscillations in absorption, reflectivity and luminescence measurements

Abstract
This paper is reviewing a number of artefactual limitations in the current EXAFS analysis. In conventional absorption measurements, the major sources of errors are the transmission of harmonics by the monochromator and inevitable leakages of radiation around or through the sample. The consequences are an alteration of the amplitude of the signal but also some harmonic distortion of the EXAFS oscillations and a systematic perturbation of the measured Debye-Waller terms. An efficient correction of the effects of X-ray leakage is suggested whereas the presence or the elimination of harmonics can be assessed by monitoring the reproducibility of the edge jump when calibrated metallic foils of different nature are inserted behind the sample. The basic analysis developed for absorption measurements has been successively extended to the case of REFLEXAFS and various emission techniques : X-ray fluorescence/scattering, optical luminescence and total electron yield. It became possible to rationalize a number of experimental observations and to determine appropriate operating conditions