Quantification of losses during X-ray microanalysis of mercury

Abstract

Diminution of the X-ray signal from the elements of low atomic number and mass loss associated with electron excited X-ray microanalysis have been demonstrated elsewhere. The elements of higher atomic number did not receive sufficient attention although under severe conditions of analytical electron microscopy, the losses of any of the specimen's elemental components exposed to the electron beam bombardment in high vacuum are to be expected and have been indicated previously. Unlike the elements of low atomic number, the losses of heavier elements, like mercury, are usually not detected unless a mass of the element within the excited volume is at a very low level (10-11 g range or less) or analytical conditions are extremely unfavourable, in which case considerable losses may occur even when concentration levels are by orders of magnitude higher (10-9 g range or higher).