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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview01:27

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a technique used to analyze elements by measuring electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorbed by atoms, which causes them to transition to a higher-energy orbit. The most crucial step in AAS is atomization, where the analyte is converted into gas-phase atoms, typically through a flame or furnace. Some of these atoms become thermally excited in the flame, while most remain in the ground state.
When irradiated by EMR of a particular wavelength, these...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:22

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) comprises several components: a radiation source, an atomizer, a monochromator, and a detector. The radiation source can be a hollow-cathode lamp (HCL) or an electrodeless-discharge lamp (EDL), both of which provide a narrow emission line of the required wavelength. However, some instruments use continuum sources and high-resolution monochromators to achieve a narrow range of radiation.
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence01:23

Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence

Atomic spectroscopy is a vital tool in elemental analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively. It can be broadly divided into optical spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy methods. The optical spectroscopic methods are atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS). The first step in all three methods is atomization, where the solid, liquid, or solution-phase samples are converted into gas-phase atoms and...
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview01:13

Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview

Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to study the composition of materials. It is widely employed in chemistry, materials science, forensic science, and other fields where sample characterization is required. ATR has several advantages over traditional transmission IR spectroscopy, including the requirement of little to no sample preparation and the ability to analyze a wide range of samples.
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources01:13

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) relies on the Beer-Lambert law, which requires that the radiation source emits a narrow range of wavelengths to match the absorption characteristics of the analyte atom. The primary criteria for choosing an appropriate radiation source in AAS is to provide a precise and intense emission at specific wavelengths that will allow accurate detection of the analyte.
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:26

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy  (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Elemental-sensitive Detection of the Chemistry in Batteries through Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering
07:55

Elemental-sensitive Detection of the Chemistry in Batteries through Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

Published on: April 17, 2018

X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Junko Yano1, Vittal K Yachandra

  • 1Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. jyano@lbl.gov

Photosynthesis Research
|August 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

X-ray absorption spectroscopy, including XANES and EXAFS, offers powerful insights into photosynthesis. This review details its applications, advantages, limitations, and recent advancements, particularly for the Photosystem II Mn(4)Ca cluster.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Photosynthesis Research
  • Spectroscopic Techniques

Background:

  • Photosynthesis is a vital process for life on Earth, converting light energy into chemical energy.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis, particularly the water-splitting complex, is crucial.
  • X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides element-specific electronic and structural information.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the theory and applications of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in photosynthesis research.
  • To discuss the advantages and limitations of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS).
  • To highlight recent advancements and theoretical developments in XAS for studying biological systems.

Main Methods:

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Characterization of Biological Absorption Spectra Spanning the Visible to the Short-Wave Infrared
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Characterization of Biological Absorption Spectra Spanning the Visible to the Short-Wave Infrared

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Elemental-sensitive Detection of the Chemistry in Batteries through Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering
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Elemental-sensitive Detection of the Chemistry in Batteries through Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

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Characterization of Biological Absorption Spectra Spanning the Visible to the Short-Wave Infrared
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Published on: January 10, 2025

  • Detailed description of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) principles.
  • Explanation of recent methodological advances, including polarized EXAFS and applications with oriented membranes and single crystals.
  • Discussion of theoretical developments for interpreting XANES spectra.

Main Results:

  • XAS methods, including XANES and EXAFS, are effective for probing the electronic and local structural properties of photosynthetic components.
  • Recent advancements enable more detailed structural and orientation-dependent studies of biological complexes.
  • The Mn(4)Ca cluster in Photosystem II has been extensively studied using XAS, revealing key structural and functional insights.

Conclusions:

  • X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an indispensable tool for advancing our understanding of photosynthesis at the molecular level.
  • Continued development of XAS techniques and theory will further enhance its utility in biological research.
  • The Mn(4)Ca cluster's structure and function are well-characterized through XAS, exemplifying the technique's power.