Spectrometers/Radiometers
type: Concept

XRF
type: Concept
in scheme: instruments
definition: X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer (XRF: Primary X-Rays are used to excite (fluoresce) X-rays in the specimen. A fused disc or pressed pellet is used for the determination of major element concentrations or trace element abundances in a bulk specimen. The X-ray detector utilizes a set of diffracting crystals specially positioned to detect one characteristic X-ray at-a-time. This sequential measurement of X-rays is termed Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). Additional information available at "http://www.nmnh.si.edu/minsci/labs/xrf.htm"