X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Definition
A technique in which a sample is irradiated with a primary X-ray beam, causing its constituent elements to emit characteristic secondary (fluorescent) X-rays that are measured to determine elemental composition.
Related terms
- Energy-dispersive XRF (ED-XRF)
- An XRF configuration using a solid-state detector that registers all emitted photon energies simultaneously. Faster and more compact than WD-XRF, enabling portable...
- Fused bead
- A preparation method where soil is dissolved in molten lithium tetraborate or metaborate flux at around 1100 degrees Celsius to form a...
- Matrix effect
- The absorption or enhancement of characteristic X-rays by other elements in the same sample, causing apparent concentrations to deviate from true values...
- Pressed pellet
- A sample preparation form in which finely ground, dried soil is mixed with a binder and compressed under several tonnes of pressure...
- Wavelength-dispersive XRF (WD-XRF)
- An XRF configuration that uses an analysing crystal to separate emitted X-rays by wavelength before detection, giving high spectral resolution and low...
Explained in
- X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) in Soil and Rock AnalysisA technique in which a sample is irradiated with a primary X-ray beam, causing its constituent elements to emit characteristic secondary (fluorescent) X-rays t...