The local environment of antimony atoms in glassy samples of the syste
m Sb2S3-As2S3-Tl2S is studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the
Sb L(III)-edge. The crystalline compound TlSb3S5, situated within the
zone of glass formation of the Sb2S3-As2S3-Tl2S phase diagram, is used
as reference compound in order to derive appropriate phase and amplit
ude functions for the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS)
study. The limits of EXAFS in studying the local order around antimon
y in compounds with complex structure are discussed. The possibilities
of a combined application of EXAFS, X-ray absorption near edge struct
ure and Sb-121 Mossbauer spectroscopy to the study of these compounds
are shown. The results are discussed in terms of a model of random sub
stitution of arsenic by antimony.