Sodium (Na) X-ray absorption edges

The Na K edge is at 1,070.8 eV. The tables list 4 absorption edges for sodium; only K lies between 100 eV and 100 keV, the range the lab can scan.

Atomic number
Z=11
Molar mass
22.9898 g/mol
Edges in the lab range
1 of 4

Open sodium in the lab

Both load sodium as a pure sample with the formula Na. 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.

Absorption edges of sodium

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
K1,070.811.840.021006ScanSoft X-ray
L1​63.510Outside range
L2​30.410Outside range
L3​30.510Outside 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 is a soft X-ray edge 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 K 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