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Effect of X-ray Tube Window Thickness on Detection Limits for Light Elements in XRF Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

Daniel J. Whalen
Affiliation:
MOXTEK, Inc. Orem, Utah 84057
D. Clark Turner
Affiliation:
MOXTEK, Inc. Orem, Utah 84057
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Abstract

Widespread interest in light element analysis using XRF has stimulated the development of thin x-ray tube windows. Thinner windows enhance the soft x-ray output of the tube, which more efficiently excite the light elements in the sample. A computer program that calculates the effect of window thickness on light element sample fluorescence has been developed. The code uses an NIST algorithm to calculate the x-ray tube spectrum given various tube parameters such as beryllium window thickness, operating voyage, anode composition, and take-off angle. The interaction of the tube radiation with the sample matrix is modelled to provide the primary and secondary fluorescence from the sample. For x-rays in the energy region 30 - 1000 eV the mass attenuation coefficients were interpolated from the photo absorption data compilation of Henke, et al. The code also calculates the x-ray background due to coherent and incoherent scatter from the sample, as well as the contribution of such scatter to the sample fluorescence. Given the sample fluorescence and background the effect of tube window thickness on detection limits for light elements can be predicted.

Type
IV. New Developments in X-Ray Sources, Instrumentation and Techniques
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1994

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