The near-neighbor atomic environment in graphite is probed in two perpendicular directions by the selective analysis of the energy-loss spectra of 120-kV electrons scattered through such angles that the momentum exchange vector $\overrightarrow{q}$ lies parallel and perpendicular to the graphite $c$ axis. The radial distribution functions calculated from the extended fine structure above the carbon $K$ edge show excellent agreement with the established atomic coordinates of graphite.

• Received 2 November 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.25.4252