High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy has become a powerful tool for astrophysics since the launch of Chandra and XMM-Newton, ten years ago. The grating spectrometers on both instruments still continue to provide excellent data, while imaging calorimeters are being prepared for future missions like Astro-H and IXO. The synergy with other wavelength bands like the UV has been boosted by the addition of COS to HST. X-ray spectroscopy offers unique diagnostics to study almost any object in the Universe. This book contains review papers on highlights and the state-of-the-art of X-ray spectroscopy for a broad range of objects and on the prospects for future studies.

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton Observatory have been the pioneering satellites for studying the Universe with X-rays and the cornerstone of X-ray spectroscopy since their launches more than 20 years ago. The onboard gratings provide us a unique opportunity to distinguish individual spectral lines from different atoms thanks to their high energy resolutions. Enormous discoveries have been achieved by these two missions when observing a variety of X-ray-emitting astronomical objects, such as black holes, supernova remnants, clusters of galaxies, and stars. However, the data are limited to fairly bright X-ray sources. The recent JAXA's mission Hitomi opened a new window of high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy thanks to its onboard X-ray calorimeter. Although this mission was shortly terminated due to a mishap, Hitomi left behind a few sets of observations awaiting more data mining. The first half of this book introduces the history of high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy and different generations of X-ray spectrometers. A tutorial guide on how to reduce, analyze, and understand the astronomical data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Hitomi is also included. The second half of the book reviews past results obtained by the high-resolution spectrometers on these missions on multiple topics and discusses possible discoveries by upcoming missions in the next decade.

X-Ray Absorption and X-ray Emission Spectroscopy: Theory and Applications During the last two decades, remarkable and often spectacular progress has been made in the methodological and instrumental aspects of x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy. This progress includes considerable technological improvements in the design and production of detectors especially with the development and expansion of large-scale synchrotron reactors All this has resulted in improved analytical performance and new applications, as well as in the perspective of a dramatic enhancement in the potential of x-ray based analysis techniques for the near future. This comprehensive two-volume treatise features articles that explain the phenomena and describe examples of X-ray absorption and emission applications in several fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, catalysis, amorphous and liquid systems, synchrotron radiation, and surface phenomena. Contributors explain the underlying theory, how to set up X-ray absorption experiments, and how to analyze the details of the resulting spectra. X-Ray Absorption and X-ray Emission Spectroscopy: Theory and Applications: Combines the theory, instrumentation and applications of x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies which offer unique diagnostics to study almost any object in the Universe. Is the go-to reference book in the subject for all researchers across multi-disciplines since intense beams from modern sources have revolutionized x-ray science in recent years Is relevant to students, postdocurates and researchers working on x-rays and related synchrotron sources and applications in materials, physics, medicine, environment/geology, and biomedical materials

This is the first ever comprehensive treatment of NEXAFS spectroscopy. It is suitable for novice researchers as an introduction to the field, while experts will welcome the detailed description of state-of-the-art instrumentation and analysis techniques, along with the latest experimental and theoretical results.

Photoemission spectroscopy is one of the most extensively used methods to study the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, and solids and their surfaces. This volume introduces and surveys the field at highest energy and momentum resolutions allowing for a new range of applications, in particular for studies of high temperature superconductors.

This book gives an account of the proceedings of the International Astronomical Union Colloquium 115: High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of Cosmic Plasmas. This was the first IAU meeting dedicated to high resolution X-ray spectroscopy of objects outside the solar system. A broad range of objects and astrophysical conditions are discussed. Results from the first generation of satellites with spectroscopic capability, i.e. the Einstein Observatory, EXOSAT, and Tenma, are reviewed from a perspective of a more precise interpretation allowed by improved theoretical models and plasma diagnostics. Laboratory and solar X-ray results that model or are relevant to conditions found in cosmic X-ray sources are also presented. The colloquium presents a forum for discussion of scientific objectives of new international missions in high resolution X-ray spectroscopy.

- Up-to-date account of the principles and practice of inelastic and spectroscopic methods available at neutron and synchrotron sources - Multi-technique approach set around a central theme, rather than a monograph on one technique - Emphasis on the complementarity of neutron spectroscopy and X-ray spectroscopy which are usually treated in separate books