Siegbahn notation
Encyclopedia
The Siegbahn notation is used in X-ray spectroscopy
to name the spectral lines that are characteristic to elements. It was created by Manne Siegbahn
.
The characteristic lines in X-ray emission spectra correspond to electronic transitions where an electron jumps down to an unfilled level in one of the inner shells of an atom. Such a hole in an inner shell may have been produced by bombardment with electrons in an X-ray tube
, by other particles as in PIXE
, by other X-rays in X-ray fluorescence
or by radioactive decay of the atom's nucleus.
The table below show the correspondence between the name of a few lines and the electronic levels.
This notation is widely used in spectroscopy, but the IUPAC
recommends another notation.
X-ray spectroscopy
X-ray spectroscopy is a gathering name for several spectroscopic techniques for characterization of materials by using x-ray excitation.-Characteristic X-ray Spectroscopy:...
to name the spectral lines that are characteristic to elements. It was created by Manne Siegbahn
Manne Siegbahn
Karl Manne Georg Siegbahn FRS was a Swedish physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1924 "for his discoveries and research in the field of X-ray spectroscopy"....
.
The characteristic lines in X-ray emission spectra correspond to electronic transitions where an electron jumps down to an unfilled level in one of the inner shells of an atom. Such a hole in an inner shell may have been produced by bombardment with electrons in an X-ray tube
X-ray tube
An X-ray tube is a vacuum tube that produces X-rays. They are used in X-ray machines. X-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, an ionizing radiation with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet light...
, by other particles as in PIXE
PIXE
Particle-induced X-ray emission or proton-induced X-ray emission is a technique used in the determining of the elemental make-up of a material or sample. When a material is exposed to an ion beam, atomic interactions occur that give off EM radiation of wavelengths in the x-ray part of the...
, by other X-rays in X-ray fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence is the emission of characteristic "secondary" X-rays from a material that has been excited by bombarding with high-energy X-rays or gamma rays...
or by radioactive decay of the atom's nucleus.
The table below show the correspondence between the name of a few lines and the electronic levels.
| Low energy level | High energy level | Name of the line |
|---|---|---|
| K (1s) | L3 (2p3/2) | Kα1 K-alpha In X-ray spectroscopy, K-alpha emission lines result when an electron transitions to the innermost "K" shell from a 2p orbital of the second or "L" shell... |
| L2 (2p1/2) | Kα2 | |
| M3 (3p3/2) | Kβ1 | |
| L3 (2p3/2) | M5 (3d5/2) | Lα1 |
| L2 (2p1/2) | M4 (3d3/2) | Lβ1 |
| M5 (3d5/2) | N7 (5p3/2) | Mα1 |
This notation is widely used in spectroscopy, but the IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations that represents chemists in individual countries. It is a member of the International Council for Science . The international headquarters of IUPAC is located in Zürich,...
recommends another notation.
| Siegbahn notation | IUPAC notation |
|---|---|
| Kα1 | K-L3 |
| Kα2 | K-L2 |
| Kβ1 | K-M3 |
| Lα1 | L3-M5 |
| Lβ1 | L2-M4 |
| Mα1 | M5-N7 |