X-ray Spectrometry

Abstract

In this review, we focus on the most significant and essential progress in X-ray spectrometry (XRS) published during the period 2006-2007 covering the following topics: developments and improvements in the detection performance and instrumentation of X-ray techniques and X-ray optics, new quantification models in X-ray spectra and data evaluation, micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) including 3D-XRF, imaging techniques such as tomography and holography methods for 2D or 3D imaging of microstructures, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis, and X-ray absorption spectrometry (XAS). Finally, different applications in each subfield of XRS are described. Since the previous review, the sections of µ-XRF and 3D-XRF are newly introduced.An international group of scientists published two overviews on XRS (1, 2) in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry covering the period 2006-2007 in the principal field of XRS analytical spectroscopic methods and instruments. These review articles involve all the important sections of XRS in nine chapters: reviews, instrumentation, spectrum analysis, matrix correction and calibration, X-ray optics and microfluorescence, synchrotron radiation, TXRF, portable and mobile X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and online XRF and applications. In the present review, we use a different method of classifying the information published in the literature during the 2006-2007 period: detection, instrumentation (except detectors) and optics, quantification models and related fundamental data, tomography and holography methods as primary tools of X-ray imaging, TXRF, EPMA, PIXE, XAS, and a final chapter that reviews the application of these methods in geology, environmental research, industry, biology, and medicine.Two practically useful books were published in 2006-2007. The handbook entitled Practical X-ray Fluorescence Analysis was edited by five famous German researchers (3). Following the historical progress of XRF, the basic and recent developments in X-ray sources, X-ray optics, and X-ray detectors are described. Quantification, specimen preparation, and special configurations, such as TXRF and micro-XRF, and their applications in environ-* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Focusing Polycapillary Optics and Their Applications

“…Focusing polycapillary optics are widely used [76][77][78][79] in X ray fluorescence (XRF) and spectrometry (XRS) because of the large intensity increase compared to pinhole collimation and the resulting more flexible system design. These allow for in situ and rapid throughput systems [80,81] as well as medical [82], and portable monitoring systems [83][84][85].…”

Characterization of individual submicrometer aerosol particles collected in Incheon, Korea, by quantitative transmission electron microscopy energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry

“…Single particle analysis can provide detailed information on an aerosol's microphysical and chemical properties and can deepen our understanding of the sources, reactivity, transport, and removal of aerosol particles [ Choël et al , 2005; Laskin et al , 2006]. Over the past decade the use of energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has widely been applied for the analysis of both homogeneous and heterogeneous single aerosol particles [ Tsuji et al , 2008]. In particular, quantitative energy‐dispersive electron probe X‐ray microanalysis (ED‐EPMA) method, called low‐ Z particle EPMA, based on SEM equipped with ultrathin‐window EDX detector (SEM‐EDX), has been shown to reliably provide quantification results for elemental compositional analysis by using a single‐scattering Monte Carlo calculation procedure, which can simulate the generation of characteristic and Bremsstrahlung X‐rays under low‐energy electron beam conditions (usually less than 30 kV) for individual particles on collecting substrates [ Ro , 2006].…”

Elevated nitrogen-containing particles observed in Asian dust aerosol samples collected at the marine boundary layer of the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea

“…Their "average" compositions and aerodynamic diameters could be obtained by "bulk" analysis, but the exact aerosol mixing state and the chemical micro-processes in (or on) aerosol particles have been unambiguously determined by the application of single particle measurements (Tsuji et al, 2008). A recently developed electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) technique, named low-Z particle EPMA, shows powerful advantages for the characterization of environmental and geological single particles (Ro et al, 2001a.…”