The oxygen K-edge electron energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) spe
ctra for NiO and O/Ni(100) system have been measured by using the refl
ection mode of small-angle scattering. Through comparison between the
ELNES and the XANES for NiO, we find that this experimental mode is go
verned by dipole-allowed transitions. It is demonstrated that the ELNE
S spectra of O/Ni(100) system depend on oxygen exposure and on the ori
entation of momentum transfer of a probe electron.