Zinc (Zn) X-ray absorption edges

The Zn K edge is at 9,659 eV. The tables list 11 absorption edges for zinc; K, L1​, L2​, L3​ and M1​ lie between 100 eV and 100 keV, the range the lab can scan.

Atomic number
Z=30
Molar mass
65.38 g/mol
Edges in the lab range
5 of 11

Open zinc in the lab

Both load zinc as a pure sample with the formula Zn. 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 zinc

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
K9,6597.5430.46937ScanHard X-ray
L1​1,196.21.134220.0018ScanSoft X-ray
L2​1,044.91.40.0095ScanSoft X-ray
L3​1,021.82.4550.012ScanSoft X-ray
M1​139.81.040.0000046ScanSoft X-ray
M2​91.410.000022Outside range
M3​88.610Outside range
M4​10.210.0025313Outside range
M5​10.110Outside range
N2​110.010263Outside range
N3​110.010263Outside 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 hard X-ray edge 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.

L1​, L2​, L3​ and M1​ 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 L1​, L2​, L3​ and M1​ 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.

Sample presets containing zinc

These links load the preset's density and select zinc as the absorber. Check the density source on the Sample page and adjust it for your sample.

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