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Comparison of Glass Fragments Using Particle‐Induced X‐Ray Emission (PIXE) Spectrometry * ,†
Author(s) -
DeYoung Paul A.,
Hall Christopher C.,
Mears Patrick J.,
Padilla Derek J.,
Sampson Richard,
Peaslee Graham F.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01650.x
Subject(s) - mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , particle (ecology) , elemental analysis , inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry , x ray fluorescence , laser ablation , chemistry , materials science , atomic number , analytical technique , trace element , fluorescence , laser , chromatography , atomic physics , optics , physics , oceanography , organic chemistry , geology
A procedure has been developed to analyze the trace element concentrations in glass fragments using particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) spectrometry. This method involves using accelerated protons to excite inner‐shell electronic transitions of target atoms and recording the resultant X‐rays to characterize the trace element concentrations. The protocol was able to identify those glass fragments that originated from different sources based on their elemental analyses. The protocol includes specific approaches to calculating uncertainties and handling measurements below the level of detection. The results indicate that this approach has increased sensitivity for several elements with higher atomic number compared with X‐ray fluorescence methods. While not as sensitive as laser‐ablation or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry methods of dissolved samples, it is entirely nondestructive and entails a much simpler sample preparation process that may be used to presort glass fragments for more comprehensive elemental analysis. As such, the technique described may have a niche role in forensic glass analysis.