1. Course description
Ever since Röntgen demonstrated the medical applications of X-rays, they have played an invaluable role in probing atomic and molecular-level structures in chemistry, materials science, and modern medicine. The first image obtained by Röntgen was based on the principle of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This course will demonstrate how X-ray and X-ray electron spectroscopy can be used to solve chemical problems. It will cover the fundamental principles of spectroscopic processes and their applications in the study of surfaces, catalysis, electrochemistry and liquids.
2. Course Objectives
The course aims to provide an introduction to the nature of X-rays and their important role in probing the electronic and molecular structure of chemical systems. Students will learn about core level creation and decay, selection rules, sudden approximations causing electronic and vibrational excitations, polarisation dependencies, and resonant techniques. Students will also learn how to use spectroscopic tools to gain insight into their own chemical problems using synchrotron and x-ray laser sources.

Physical Chemistry, advanced course

Copies of lecture slides and scientific papers