A large body of first row transition K beta X-ray emission spectra are pres
ented and the splitting of the K beta peak into K beta ' and K beta (1,3) i
s quantified by a consistent curvefitting procedure. Broad trends in the K
beta ' :K beta (1,3) intensity ratio are identified and related to the oxid
ation state of the metal and its chemical environment. Implications for the
development of X-ray emission spectroscopy as a tool for chemical speciati
on are considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.