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An iterative method for determining background intensities used in XRF calibration lines for flux‐fusion silicate rock analysis
Author(s) -
Parker R. J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
x‐ray spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1097-4539
pISSN - 0049-8246
DOI - 10.1002/xrs.1300070112
Subject(s) - calibration , line (geometry) , iterative method , algorithm , computer science , mathematics , geometry , statistics
In major element rock analysis using XRF and fused samples and standards, the construction of standard calibration lines is facilitated by the accurate knowledge of the background intensities for the elements analyed. As an alternative to measuring the background ‘off peak’ or on blanks, an iterative technique is proposed. This technique is based on repeatedly incrementing the background value until the best calibration line has been found. The quality of the calibration line is evaluated in terms of the average relative and average absolute errors. Comparative data, presented for calibration lines constructed from (1) backgrounds measured from blanks and (2) backgrounds determined by iterationm, show that the iterative technique produces superior calibrations. The analytical techniques have been tested by analysing international rock standards as unknown samples.