NEAR-EDGE ELECTRON-ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY - COMPARISON TO X-RAY-ABSORPTION

Inelastic electron scattering provides a convenient, lab-based alterna tive to bremsstrahlung or synchrotron radiation X-ray spectroscopy for inner-shell excitation studies of gases, solids and surfaces. The cur rent capabilities of inner-shell electron energy loss spectroscopies ( ISEELS) are reviewed and compared to X-ray techniques. Issues discusse d include: momentum transfer dependence, oscillator strength determina tion, spatial and energy resolution, orientational sensitivity. Exampl es are given of the application of EELS to gases, solids and surfaces.