Application of high-energy-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the U L-edge to assess the U(V) electronic structure in FeUO

Yomogida, Takumi   ; Akiyama, Daisuke*; Ouchi, Kazuki  ; Kumagai, Yuta   ; Higashi, Kotaro*; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro  ; Kirishima, Akira*; Kawamura, Naomi*; Takahashi, Yoshio*

FeUO was studied to clarify the electronic structure of U(V) in a metal monouranate compound. We obtained the peak splitting of HERFD-XANES spectra utilizing high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection-X-ray absorption near edge structure (HERFD-XANES) spectroscopy at the U L-edge, which is a novel technique in the U(V) compounds. Theoretical calculations revealed that the peak splitting was caused by splitting the 6d orbital of U(V). Such distinctive electronic states are of major interest to researchers and engineers working in various fields, from fundamental physics to the nuclear industry and environmental sciences for actinide elements.