1. X-RAY FLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUE EMMANUEL A. BAMIDELE

2. What is XRF? XRF is an analytical technique used in the determination of the chemical and elemental composition of different materials and coatings. FastAccurate Non- Destructive Cheap Advantages Disadvantage: The spectrometer is more efficient for elements with high atomic number and can barely/not detect accurately elements of low atomicity

3. How Does XRF Work? The sample is irradiated by x-ray from the source, provided the x-ray is of enough energy beyond K and L shell binding an electron from the hit atom is dislodged Stability of atom is regained when the vacant spot in the inner orbital shell is filled with an electron from a higher energy orbital shell of the atom The dislodged electron dropped to a lower energy state and then release a fluorescent x-ray. The specific difference between the two-quantum state of an element is equal to the energy of this released x-ray. The basis for x-ray analysis is the measurement of this energy. Image Source: thermofisher.com

4. What are its Components? Image Source: Horiba Limited Computer Detector Spectrometer Primary Optic Secondary Optic Sample Positioning System X-ray Tube

5. How is XRF Analysis Done? Sample Preparation Solid, Liquid, Powder, Beads Measurement EDXRF WDXRF Analysis Qualitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis Results

6. Analysis Results Source: Khalil, Khalil Abdelrazek, et al (2013)

7. Conclusion The XRF analytical technique is suitable for chemical and elemental analysis of different materials and coating systems especially due to its accuracy, speed, reproducability and the cost. Where in CU Boulder? Robert Anderson Group in Geological Sciences Suzanne Anderson Group in Geography Holly Bernard in Geography Critical Zone Boulder