X-ray notation

Conversion

Uses

• X-ray sources are classified by the type of material and orbital used to generate them. For example, Cu_Kα X-rays are emitted from the K orbital of copper.
• X-ray absorption is reported as which orbital absorbed the x-ray photon. In EXAFS and XMCD the L-edge or the L absorption edge is the point where the L orbital begins to absorb x-rays.
• Auger peaks are identified with three orbital definitions, for example KL₁L₂. In this case, K represents the hole that is initially present at the core level, L₁ the initial state of the electron that relaxes down into the core level hole, and L₂ the initial energy state of the emitted electron.