Knowledge Bank

High resolution X-ray photon spectroscopy offers an alternative method to photoelectron spectroscopy for studying the electronic structure of molecules. Compared with photoelectron techniques, the photon method suffers from certain disadvantages but also offers unique advantages. Recent measurements indicate that high resolution photon studies of valence electron transitions provide a powerful tool for ``seeing’’ individual molecular orbitals, and offer under favorable circumstances specific and characteristic information on individual ligand bonds as well. Illustrations of the above will be offered in a series of P, S, and Cl bearing compounds. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation.