This paper investigates the contributions of sample preparation to the analytical lower limits of detection and errors for the quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of a simple, binary system of quartz and calcite. This study further demonstrates the danger of using only statistical and instrumental contributions to detection limits and analytical errors.
The elemental analysis of geologic samples such as rocks, minerals and coal ash is a complicated task because of their wide, complex compositional range. Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) can provide a rapid, accurate and precise way of analyzing geologic samples. Two approaches to reducing EDXRF intensity data to elemental concentrations are the empirical approach and the fundamental parameters (theoretical) approach. Empirical methods require numerous standards within restricted compositional ranges so can become complex, time consuming and, therefore, expensive if diverse suites of samples are to be analyzed for many elements. Fundamental parameters, on the other hand, requires knowledge of physical constants such as mass absorption coefficients, jump ratios and fluorescent yields, and only one matrix independent standard to calculate a calibration constant for each element making it an ideal approach to the analysis of diverse geologic samples.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.