Fast extended—x-ray-absorption—fine-structure spectroscopy with a laser-produced x-ray pulse

Abstract
Extended-x-ray-absorption-fine-structure (EXAFS) spectra of aluminum and magnesium have been measured with single nanosecond pulses of soft x rays generated by laser-produced plasmas. This technique provides a practical alternative to synchrotron radiation for the acquisition of EXAFS data for elements having atomic numbers up to 40. It also provides a unique capability for the analysis of molecular structure in highly transient chemical species.