The X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) at the Pr-L(II,III) t
hresholds was studied for tetravalent PrBaO3 and PrO2. The XANES spect
ra of both systems exhibit typical double-peaked ''white-line'' struct
ures with substructures reflecting the different oxygen coordination i
n PrBaO3 and PrO2. These substructures are best visualized by the seco
nd derivative of the XANES spectra. We observe also characteristic dif
ferences between the respective L(II)- and L(III)-edge spectra.