Development and application of multi-purpose x-ray fluorescence analyzer using synchrotron and conventional x-ray sources

Abstract

A multi-purpose analyzer was developed to carry out x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of micro-samples and total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis of environmental samples using either conventional x-ray or synchrotron radiation as an excitation source. Cosmic dust samples collected in Antarctica were successfully analyzed using a conventional x-ray source. XRF spectra of 36 cosmic dust samples were measured automatically using a combination of specially designed software and a sample holder, and trace amounts of heavy elements (10 ppm level in the sample) were detected. The potential ability of the XRF analyzer in TXRF mode using synchrotron x-rays from a third-generation light source, SPring-8, was tested using a standard river water and arsenic-containing water as samples. Satisfactory linearity of concentration versus net intensity of As was obtained in the concentration range 100 fg–100 ng with a detection limit of 10 fg. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.