Photoabsorption spectra of H2S, CH3SH and SO2 near the sulfur K edge

Photoabsorption spectra of the isolated sulfur containing molecules H₂S, CH₃SH and SO₂ are measured at high resolution near the sulfur K edge, using synchrotron radiation. Resonances are observed in the discrete and continuum parts of the spectra. The most intense resonances are shown to result from virtual orbital effects on the basis of comparisons with the L edge photoabsorption spectra (H₂S, SO₂), the equivalent core model (SO₂) and low-energy electron scattering measurements (H₂S, SO₂).