This study utilizes the state-of-the-art
high energy resolution
fluorescence detection (HERFD) and X-ray absorption fine-structure
spectroscopy (XAFS) to revisit the Pt L3- and L2-edge whitelines (WLs) for Pt metal and to explore the Pt L3,2-edge WL–5d5/2,3/2 density of states (DOS) relationship
for multiple Pt-Ni and Pt-Cu bimetallic fcc systems. A generalized
linear correlation of the WL area with the unoccupied 5d states has
been established. The unoccupied Pt 5d5/2 and 5d3/2 state counts are found to be correlated linearly despite the diversity
of the systems under investigation. This finding allows for a straightforward
and effective way to obtain the number of unoccupied Pt 5d states
by only measuring the Pt L3-edge in these or similar systems.
This observation also introduces a new spin on the Pt L3,2-edge WL intensity anomaly in that the Pt 5d3/2 states
are not as full as previously thought. Guidance for the XAFS experiment
design and charge redistribution implications using this correlation
are discussed.