Prospects for emission Mössbauer spectroscopy in chemical investigations

Emission Mössbauer spectroscopy is a radiochemical method for investigating materials and the consequences of nuclear transformations taking place in them. Isotopes are traditionally used as structural probes, and the sensitivity of the method is 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than that of absorption Mössbauer spectroscopy. The elements of Mössbauer isotopes with parent nuclei that undergo electron capture or a converted isomeric transition (i.e., lead to high Auger ionization) are the best-studied elements. The electron processes that accompany ionization and their effect on the state of daughter Mössbauer atoms in qualitatively different compounds, from elementary oxides, superconductors, insulators and magnetics to sophisticated bioorganic complexes, are considered.