Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-skm99 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T04:32:35.278Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis Applied to Small Samples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

J.M. Jaklevic
Affiliation:
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
W.R. French
Affiliation:
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
T.W. Clarkson
Affiliation:
Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642
M.R. Greenwood
Affiliation:
Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642
Get access

Abstract

We describe an adaptation of photon excited x-ray fluorescence analysis which is optimized for the analysis of small samples. A fine focus x-ray tube is used in conjunction with small diameter detector collimators in order to focus on a small sample volume with as high sensitivity as possible. Sample areas of less than 1 mm diameter can be analyzed with ppm detectability. In applications involving the analysis of human hair samples, a minimum detectable limit of 10 ppm Hg can be realized in a 1 mm long segment of a single hair in a counting time of 200 seconds. Simultaneous measurements of the sample mass can be obtained from the intensity of the incoherent scattering. An automated x-ray fluorescence analysis system using the technique for the scanning of elemental profiles in such hair samples will be described.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1977

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.)

References

1. Cookson, J.A. and Pilling, F.D., “Trace Element Distributions Across The Diameter of Human Hair,” Phys. Med Biol. 20, 10151020 (1975).Google Scholar
2. “X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Samples,” Dzubay, T.G., Editor, Arm Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, Michigan (1977).Google Scholar
3. Goulding, F.S., Jaklevic, J.M. and Loo, B.W., “Development of Air Particulate Monitoring Systems,” Progress Report to EPA, LBL Report, LBL-6497 (1977).Google Scholar
4. Bakir, F., Damluji, S.F., Amin-Zaki, L., Murtadha, M., Khalidi, A., Al-Rawi, N.Y., Tikriti, S., Dhadir, H.I., Clarkson, T.W., Smith, J.C. and Doherty, R.A., “Methylmercury Poisoning in Iraq,” Science 181, 230 (1973).Google Scholar
5. McMaster, W.H., Del Grande, N.K., Mallett, J.H. and Hubbell, J.H., “Compilation of X-ray Cross Sections/’ University of California, LBL Report UCRL-50174, Section II, Revision I, National Techni¬cal Information Service (1969).Google Scholar
6. Hadeishi, T., Church, D.A., McLaughlin, R.D., Zak, B.D., Nakamura, M. and Chang, B., “Mercviry Monitor for Ambient Air,” Science 187, 348 (1975).Google Scholar