K-BETA X-RAY-EMISSION AND K X-RAY-ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF SULFUR IN SULFATE COMPOUNDS

With a two-crystal vacuum spectrometer, the sulfur Kbeta emission spec tra in fluorescence are measured for a series of alkali, alkaline-eart h and hydrated 3d transition-metal salts with the SO42- ion. In additi on, the sulfur K absorption spectra in a series of hydrated 3d transit ion-metal sulfates are measured with a bent-quartz-crystal vacuum spec trograph. The measured Kbeta emission and K absorption spectra are pre sented along with the sulfur K absorption spectra of alkali and alkali ne-earth sulfates reported previously. It is shown that the Kbeta emis sion and K absorption spectra of sulfur in alkali and alkaline-earth s ulfates are influenced by the cations, while those of hydrated 3d tran sition-metal sulfates are little affected by the metal ions. The sulfu r Kbeta emission spectra and the sulfur K absorption spectra are inter preted in terms of the molecular orbitals of the SO42- ion.