X-ray absorption spectroscopy set-up for unstable gases: A study of 5p hydrides

Abstract An absorption cell is constructed for x-ray absorption spectroscopy of reactive, unstable or hazardous gases at room temperature. In conjunction with in-situ micro-synthesis technique relying on handling the gas in syringes it enabled a first measurement of x-ray absorption spectra in the region of K and L edges for the series of hydrides of 5p elements (SnH4, SbH3, TeH2, HI). The signal-to-noise ratio above 103 was achieved, whereby fine detail is discerned in the spectra, in particular the small sharp features above each absorption edge, testifying of coexcitations of outer electrons in the core photoeffect.