Mössbauer spectroscopy

The Mössbauer spectroscopy is a non-destructive, physical fine analysis method, which is used for example in biochemistry, solid state physics and geology.

Description

In Mössbauer spectroscopy makes you look next to the Mössbauer effect of the Doppler effect to use. A hyper-fine modulation of a gamma emitter is produced by mechanically moving it during the measurement. Thus, for a hyperfine spectrum of gamma quanta produced with different energies. This allows for various materials whose atoms are able to absorb such gamma rays, receive a corresponding high-resolution transmission spectrum. If a sample is illuminated by a modulated according extremely penetrating gamma radiation, it can be by means of appropriate detectors, and computer-aided evaluation, a material typical spectrum produce.

This allows qualitative and quantitative statements about the elements contained in the sample. About the high-resolution hyperfine structure, which results from electron-nuclear interactions, you can meet not only statements about the cores themselves, but also on the properties of its electronic environment, such as oxidation state, spin states, magnetic behavior, electronegativity of ligands and other properties of the chemical bonds, such as degree of covalence.

Application

The main application of Mössbauer spectroscopy is the distinction of divalent and trivalent iron. In addition, you can use these to demonstrate the elements tin, antimony, and tellurium. In the 1980s, portable Mössbauer spectrometer were used for the exploration of the tin deposits of the Erzgebirge.

Miniaturized Mössbauer Spectrometer, as " MIMOS II" developed and built at the University of Mainz, in the NASA Mars probes of the Spirit and Opportunity missions in use and analyze the Martian rocks. These were in addition to clear evidence of water also evidence of a period of Mars history, in the much more oxygen in the atmosphere was present as today. Another, a fist-sized copy should end up with the Russian probe ' Phobos -Grunt ' in 2013 on Mars ' moon Phobos. After Fobos -Grunt was stranded in a parking orbit, the spacecraft entered on January 15, 2012 in the Earth's atmosphere and burned up over the eastern Pacific.