J. Synchrotron Rad. 10 (2003) 265-272 [ DOI 10.1107/S0909049502005502 ]

Integrating near-edge X-ray absorption Fine structure (NEXAFS) microscopy and crystallography: the effects of molecular order on soft X-ray spectromicroscopy

Lisa M. Croll, James F. Britten, Cynthia Morin, Adam P. Hitchcock* and Harald D. H. Stover
Dept. of Chemistry and BIMR, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4M1

(Received 21 Jan 2003; accepted 25 Feb 2003)

The carbon K-edge near-edge X-ray absorption spectra (NEXAFS) of oriented single crystals of N,N00-ethylenebis(N0-2-methylphenyl)- urea have been recorded using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). The single-crystal structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. A strong polarization dependence (linear dichroism) has been observed and interpreted with the aid of the single-crystal structure and crystal alignment. These results demonstrate the ability of STXM to determine molecular orientation on a submicrometre spatial scale.

Keywords: NEXAFS microscopy; linear dichroism; X-ray crystallography; phenyl urea.

@2002 International Union of Crystallography