Extended-x-ray-absorption-fine-structure study of small Fe molecules isolated in solid neon

We have used rare gas matrix isolation techniques in combination with extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) to study the variation in interatomic distances for small Fe molecules in solid neon. A considerable contraction in the interatomic distances was observed for the metal molecules. An Fe-Fe distance of 2.03 +- l0.03 A for the lowest concentration of metal was observed. This is in good agreement with early EXAFS measurements in Fe/sub 2/-Ar. We also carried out a careful study of the x-ray-absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and observed the appearance of considerable structure for a 1.5-at. % Fe sample. The XANES spectra were analyzed in terms of 1s-to-(3d,4s) and 1s-to-4p transitions.