Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) of the Rare Earth (RE) 3d levels yields sharp peaks near the edges as a result of strong, quasi-atomic 3d104fn→3d94fn+1 (M4,5) transitions that contain a wealth of spectroscopic features. XAS is a useful technique for the characterization of 4f-occupancy, 4f-hybridization, and valence in RE-containing materials. The XAS measurements of the single crystal RE-orthophosphates, as well as a range of Ce- doped (˜l–30%) LaPO4 hosts were performed at the 3d edge in the total electron yield mode at beamline 8–2 at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL). The XAS spectra of the RE ions in the orthophosphate matrix generally resemble that of the corresponding RE metal and emphasize the major contribution of the trivalent state to the electronic transitions occurring at the 3d edge. There is no energy shift of the La and Ce absorption peaks with Ce doping and furthermore, no additional transitions are observed in either spectral region. However, accompanying the Ce doping there is a significant narrowing of the La absorption peak full width half maximum that contrasts to the Ce features that exhibit no contraction. The La and Ce spectra indicate that the Ce-doping of LaPO4 is purely substitutional.