X-ray absorption spectroscopy measured in resonant X-ray scattering mode: How unnatural is the resolution beyond the natural width?

The aim of this work is to give a clarifying view of the ‘super-high resolution’ scheme employing X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the resonant scattering mode. If the idea is not applied carefully, unrealistic results, as ‘perfect’ resolution, can be produced. The background of the problem is that the technique of extracting lifetime-broadening-free spectra assumes a known location of the resonance in the two-dimensional map of X-ray scattering spectra. The accuracy of the latter is, however, related to the lifetime broadening of the core-excited state. Thus, a compromise must be found between the uncertainty in the position of the X-ray absorption peak and the width of the desired absorption profile.