X-ray absorption fine structure measurement with a 9 V electric battery x-ray emitter

X-ray absorption spectral analysis is a well known technique for analyzing the chemical environment of an element in a specimen. It has been believed that high intensity and monochromatized x rays such as the synchrotron radiation are required for an x-ray absorption experiment. In the present study, however, we demonstrate that the x-ray absorption spectral measurement of transition metal foils with an energy resolution of 10 eV is possible with a combination of a 9 V dry electric battery pyroelectric x-ray generator and a superconducting microcalorimeter. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.