Empyrean XAS is live: Here’s what you need to know

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is live on Empyrean, our multi-purpose X-ray spectrometer. Now, you can bring essential insights into electronic structure and local atomic environments to your lab.

Watch the launch webinar

In a live webinar on June 23, our experts demonstrated how you can conduct routine X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) measurements with high data quality and streamlined workflows. Through practical workflows, example datasets, and application cases across materials science fields, we showed what’s possible – all in the convenience of your own lab. If you missed the launch or want to watch it again, the recording is now available on demand.

Expand your analytical possibilities

The Empyrean is our multipurpose and future-proof X-ray analysis platform, already trusted by institutions worldwide for XRD, scattering, and imaging analysis. Now with XAS, you can upgrade your materials characterization workflow without waiting for costly beamtime.

You asked, we answered: Top questions from the webinar

Q: Can you discuss the pros and cons of using pair distribution function (PDF) vs XAS?

A: PDF and XAS are complementary. PDF provides structural information on all atom-atom correlations in a material, while XAS is element-specific and gives detailed insight into the oxidation state and local environment of a selected element. The advantage of XAS is its chemical specificity, whereas PDF offers a more global view of local structure, especially in disordered materials.

Q: How does this method compare to other laboratory-based techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)?  Why use this method?

A: Compared with XPS, XAS probes the bulk of the material and can be performed under realistic operating conditions, whereas XPS is primarily surface-sensitive and often requires high vacuum. We use XAS when we need element-specific information on oxidation state and local structure in complex or working materials.

Q: What kind of XRD tube is necessary for XAS experiments?

A: We use the LFF HR tubes (Co, Cu, Mo, and Ag) that come standard with the Empyrean. 

Q: What is the minimum energy in keV you can detect with the 1Der?

A: The 1Der Advanced does not have a single fixed cutoff. We have tested down to 4 keV; in principle, you can go lower, but acquisition times will increase.

Q: Given that you work with transmission, would it be beneficial to measure with a Mo tube instead of Cu tube?

A: Potentially yes. Using a Mo tube provides higher-energy X-rays, which can improve transmission through thicker or more absorbing samples. However, the optimal choice depends on the absorption edge of interest, and the specific experimental requirements, so higher energy is not always better.

Q: Beyond providing instrumentation, does Panalytical actively engage in collaborative development of new operando techniques with academic partners? If so, what mechanisms are available for initiating such collaborations?

A: Yes. Malvern Panalytical does actively engage in collaborative development. In this instance, please contact the Product Manager (Hadeel Hussain).