Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Studies of Actinide Ions in Aqueous Solution

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure(EXAFS) spectroscopy can be used to probe thelocal atomic environment around actinide atoms in avariety of systems. Uranium LIII-edge spectra wereobtained on an in-lab rotating anode EXAFS facility.Spectra of crystalline UO₂F₂ and aqueous solutionscontaining hexavalent uranium ions show structureassociated with two separate shells of surroundingatoms. With the use of fluorescence detection techniques and more research directed toward deter¬mining backscattering amplitude and phase shiftparameters, it is anticipated that EXAFS will becomea powerful quantitative technique for structure stud¬ies in heavy atom systems.