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A novel portable XRF spectrometer with range of detection extended to low‐Z elements
Author(s) -
Migliori A.,
Bonanni P.,
Carraresi L.,
Grassi N.,
Mandò P. A.
Publication year - 2011
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.1316
Subject(s) - spectrometer , detector , physics , calibration , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , optics , chemistry , quantum mechanics , chromatography
X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is one of the most widely used techniques for material analysis in the field of cultural heritage, thanks to its non‐destructive and multi‐elemental character and also to the possibility of using portable instrumentations. The need of compact systems for in situ analyses results generally in a worse, more limited performance: the detection of low‐Z elements is the most affected aspect. In this article, we present a custom‐realised portable XRF spectrometer developed in Florence at the LABEC laboratory of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), in collaboration with ICVBC of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). The system features a high efficiency for a wide range of elements, even at low Z (down to sodium), thanks to the use of two tubes with different anodes and to the presence of a continuous helium flow in front of the tubes and the detector, in order to enhance transmission of both primary and characteristic X‐rays. After a detailed description of the spectrometer, the experimental characterisation of its performance is presented: efficiency curves obtained from the analysis of thin standards are reported, together with minimum detection limits for some elements in a thick target of medium‐low density matrix. Examples of measurements, which demonstrate the capability and effectiveness of this spectrometer, are also reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.