Local atomic and electronic structure of Al₉₀Fe_xCe_10-x alloys: XAFS analysis

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) above the Fe K-edge and the Ce L3-edge in amorphous Al₉₀Fe_xCe_10-x (x = 3, 5, and 7) alloys have been measured and analyzed. Quantitative analyses of the Fe K-edge and Ce L₃-edge EXAFS spectra are limited to local structure parameters of the first coordination sphere. Using a theoretical multiple scattering (MS) approach, we show that the Fe and Ce XANES are sensitive to the structure of coordination spheres, which extend up to nearly 4.5 Å. Comparison of experimental XANES spectra with theoretical MS results allows one to determine the local structure around the iron and cerium sites up to at least the third shell of atoms.