Application of Kβ/Kα in selecting calibration standards for X‐ray fluorescence analysis

Abstract

A method for improving the accuracy in X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis with pressed pellets was established through matching the calibration standards by the Kβ/Kα ratios. The Kβ/Kα ratios of four major elements (Al, Si, Ca, and Fe) were measured in 14 certified reference materials (CRMs) for geochemistry. The deviation of the biggest Kβ/Kα values relative to the smallest ones for the same element was from 1.52% (Si) to 20.98% (Al) when pressed pellets were used. The relative deviation of Kβ/Kα values for Ca was as high as 3.56% even for two soil CRMs (GBW07404 and GBW07408). X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the Ca elements in the two CRMs were in distinct phases, thereby leading to the different Kβ/Kα values. The Fundamental Parameter Method (FPM) results of two calibration strategies were compared. When one of the 14 CRMs was selected as unknown sample whereas the other 13 CRMs were used for calibration to determine Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3, the relative errors were 10.80%, 8.77%, 8.33%, and 10.91%, respectively. Another strategy, where only one CRM was used for calibration of samples with large errors, was adopted by matching Kβ/Kα values. The results of calibrating using CRM with similar Kβ/Kα values were more accurate than those with different Kβ/Kα values.

FLUKA Simulations of Kβ/Kα Intensity Ratios of Copper in Ag–Cu Alloys

“…In the range of 0.5-50 µm for copper sample thickness it is possible to link quantitatively the Kβ/Kα intensity ratio and layer thickness and thus use the Kβ/Kα ratio to examine the sample thickness. These findings have significant implications in fields such as archaeometry [4,22], calibration of standards [68], and determination of depth profiles [69,70].…”

Atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in environmental analysis

“…In the analysis of soils , She et al 193 selected calibration standards for samples of unknown composition based on Kβ/Kα ratios. The Kβ/Kα ratios for Al, Ca, Fe and Si measured in 14 CRMs deviated 1.5% (Si) to 21% (Al) from expected values according to sample type.…”