X-ray techniques using synchrotron radiation in materials analysis

The extraordinary properties of SR have opened up new horizons for all techniques which use vacuum ultraviolet light and X-rays. In this article, some applications of SR in materials science have been discussed. X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a local, atom specific probe of the geometrical and electronic structure of the absorbing species. As an example, the lattice site location and the valence of Co in a doped high-T_c, superconductor YBa₂Cu_2–5Co_0–5O_7–4 has been discussed.