Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-qks25 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-18T04:17:36.619Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Using Pulsed X-Ray Excitation*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

J. M. Jaklevic
Affiliation:
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, California 94720
D. A. Landis
Affiliation:
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, California 94720
F. S. Goulding
Affiliation:
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, California 94720
Get access

Abstract

An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer using pulsed X-ray excitation has been developed for use in large-scale environmental analysis programs. A grid controlled X-ray tube is coupled with variable secondary fluorescence targets to analyze for a wide variety of elements with almost optimum sensitivity. The operation of the pulsed tube in a feedback loop with the semiconductor detector spectrometer results in a substantial increase in output counting rates without pile-up. The loop functions by turning off the excitation immediately upon detection of an event by the spectrometer. Pileup events are virtually eliminated and the X-ray tube's available anode power is better utilized.

The electronic control of this feedback mode results in some unique features in the response of the system to varying sample mass. These features are discussed in detail. Experimental results for sensitivity and accuracy over the range of elements measured are presented. Early operating experience with the unit indicates increases of counting rates of a factor of five compared with similar conventional systems.

Type
X-Ray Fluorescence Phenomena and Application
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1975

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

This work was performed under an Interagency Agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency and the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration.

References

1. Jaklevic, J. M., Goulding, F. S. and Landis, D. A., “High Rate X-ray Fluorescence Analysis by Pulsed Excitation”, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-19, No. 3, 392-395 (1972).Google Scholar
2. Thiebeau, H., Stadel, J., Cline, W. and Cahill, T. A., “On-Demand Beam Pulsing for an Accelerator”, Nucl. Instr. and Methods 111 No. 3, 615617 (1973).Google Scholar
3. Statham, P. J., White, G., Long, J. V. P. and Kandiah, K., “Quantitative Analysis with an Energy-Dispersive Detector using a Pulsed Electron Probe and Active Signal Filtering”, x-ray Spec., 3 No. 4, 153 (1974).Google Scholar
4. Goulding, F. S. and Jaklevic, J. M., “Development of Air Particulate Monitoring Systems” EPA Environmental Monitoring Series Report # EPA'650/4-74-030 (1974).Google Scholar
5. Goulding, F. S., Jaklevic, J. M. and Loo, B. W., “Fabrication, of Monitoring System for Determining Mass and Composition of Aerosol as a Function of Time”, EPA Technology Series Report # EPA-650/2- 75-048 (1975). LBL Report UCID-3767.Google Scholar
6. Jaklevic, J. M. and Goulding, F. S., “Semiconductor Detector X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Applied to Environmental and Biological Analysis” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-19, No.3, 384391 (1972).Google Scholar
7. Landis, D. A., Goulding, F. S. and Pehl, R. H., “Pulsed Feedback Techniques for Semiconductor Detector Radiation Spectrometers”, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-18, No. 1, 115124 (1971).Google Scholar