Direct Comparison of Total Reflection Techniques using a Plate Beam Guide

H. J. SÁNCHEZ

X-RAY SPECTROMETRY

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2002 vol. 31 p. 145 - 150

0049-8246

This paper reports an experimental characterization of different techniques for total reflection x-ray fluorescence analysis, namely grazing incidence and grazing emission methods. A direct comparison was performed by using a new collimating system based on a plate beamguide device. This device allows the transport of photons along the sample?detector path or the source?detector path in the total reflection regime, and a simple and easy way to set up the two methods of measurement. Spectra from total reflection experiments in grazing incidence and grazing emission conditions were obtained using a conventional x-ray source. Detection limit calculations of different standard samples were carried out for the two techniques. These values were also compared with those obtained by means of conventional x-ray fluorescence analysis for the same samples and the same irradiation system. The different factors involved in the determination of detection limits for each method are analyzed and a possible explanation of the results obtained is given. Copyright  2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.