Cadmium (Cd) X-ray absorption edges

The Cd K edge is at 26,711 eV. The tables list 14 absorption edges for cadmium; K, L1​, L2​, L3​, M1​, M2​, M3​, M4​, M5​ and N1​ lie between 100 eV and 100 keV, the range the lab can scan.

Atomic number
Z=48
Molar mass
112.414 g/mol
Edges in the lab range
10 of 14

Open cadmium in the lab

Both load cadmium as a pure sample with the formula Cd. Density is retained from your current settings because these X-ray tables have no density. Enter your sample's density on the Sample page before planning a thickness. To scan another edge, use the links in the table below.

Absorption edges of cadmium

Energies, jump ratios and fluorescence yields as tabulated by Elam, Ravel and Sieber (2002). Scroll within the table to see every column.
EdgeEnergy (eV)Jump ratioFluorescence yieldIn the lab
K26,7116.2750.83556ScanHard X-ray
L1​4,0181.147190.018ScanHard X-ray
L2​3,7271.40.056ScanHard X-ray
L3​3,5383.2540.056ScanHard X-ray
M1​7721.040.00019667ScanSoft X-ray
M2​652.61.0580.00049333ScanSoft X-ray
M3​618.41.13810.00039333ScanSoft X-ray
M4​411.91.0930.0027ScanSoft X-ray
M5​405.21.1340ScanSoft X-ray
N1​109.81.245679.5×10−8ScanSoft X-ray
N2​63.910.0000079333Outside range
N3​63.910.0000079333Outside range
N4​11.710.000004032Outside range
N5​10.710.000004032Outside range

Jump ratio is the photoabsorption just above the edge divided by the photoabsorption just below it. Fluorescence yield is the probability that a core hole in that shell decays by emitting an X-ray. Both are dimensionless. The lab can scan across edges strictly between 100 eV and 100 keV; other edges are listed for reference. A listed edge with jump ratio 1 has no step for thickness planning.

Transmission, fluorescence or electron yield

K, L1​, L2​ and L3​ are hard X-ray edges in the lab's classification (2 keV and above). The sample planner suggests transmission when the edge step is large enough relative to total attenuation. For a small step, as in a dilute absorber, it suggests fluorescence. Concentration alone does not decide the measurement mode.

M1​, M2​, M3​, M4​, M5​ and N1​ are soft X-ray edges in the lab's classification (below 2 keV). Transmission generally needs thin films or membranes, so the planner suggests fluorescence or electron yield. The fluorescence yield at M1​, M2​, M3​, M4​, M5​ and N1​ is below 0.05, where the lab suggests considering total electron yield.

These are planning rules of thumb. Sample thickness, self-absorption and the beamline's energy range and detectors still matter. The lab simulates transmission; it does not simulate fluorescence or electron-yield detector counts.

Values from XrayDB 9.2 (Elam, Ravel and Sieber, 2002), released into the public domain. These isolated-atom tables do not include chemical shifts, XANES or EXAFS fine structure. Methods and data sources