Cesium

Cesium • Alkali Metal

Primary XPS region: Cs3d
Overlapping regions: N/A
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Experimental Information

None

Interpretation of XPS spectra

• Cs3d region has well separated spin-orbit components (Δ=14.0 eV).
  • Loss features may be observed in the Cs3d reigion at 730eV and 745eV.

General comments

• Commonly used in SIMS analysis, and may be observed if samples have been investigated using this technique.

About This Element

Symbol: Cs
Date of Discovery: 1860
Name Origin: Latin caesius
Appearance: silver
Discoverer: Fustov Kirchoff
Obtained From: pollucite, lepidolite

Melting Point: 28.5 K
Boiling Point: 678.4 K Density[kg/m3]: 1.873
Molar Volume: 70.94 × 10-6 m3/mol Protons/Electrons: 55
Neutrons: 78
Shell Structure: 2,8,18,18,8,1
Electron Configuration: [Xe]6s1
Oxidation State: 1
Crystal Structure: Cubic

Cesium, also spelled caesium, is a slivery-gold metal that is liquid at or around room temperature. This element’s name is derived from the Latin caesius, meaning sky blue. Cesium reacts explosively with water. Cesium hydroxide is a very strong base that can rapidly etch the surface of glass. The most widespread use of cesium is in drilling fluids for the oil industry which mitigates the necessity of toxic suspended solids in drilling fluids. Cesium is also used in atomic clocks, in particular its isotope of atomic weight 133 (Cs-133).

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