Determination of the concentration of an element in a matrix of elements of considerably lower atomic number is often required in the mineral industry. The analyses must frequently be undertaken in the harsh environment of an industrial plant or in the field. Under such conditions, the analysis equipment should be simple to operate and sample preparation minimal. Radioisotope techniques based on X-ray fluorescence, X-ray preferential absorption, and Xray backscatter have all been used in such applications (1), but the particular technique to use should be chosen to fit the analysis problem and the conditions in the field or plant.Measurement of the intensity of X-rays Compton-scattered from "infinitely" thick samples is recognized as an
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