X ray absorption spectroscopy investigation of phase transition in Ge, GaAs and GaP

Abstract
The phase transitions of GaAs, GaP and Ge under pressure have been investigated by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). At the onset of the transition the Debye-Waller factor increases and the x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) is progressively modified. A mixing of the low and high pressure phase can be determined by XAS as well as amorphization of the sample on pressure release.