Qualitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of ore samples

Principle

Various ore samples are subjected to polychromatic X-rays. The energy of the resulting fluorescence radiation is analysed with the aid of a semiconductor detector and a multichannel analyser. The energy of the corresponding characteristic X-ray fluorescence lines is determined. The elements of the samples are identified by comparing the line energies with the corresponding table values.

Tasks

1. Calibrate the semiconductor energy detector with the aid of the characteristic radiation of the tungsten X-ray tube.
2. Record the fluorescence spectra that are produced by the samples.
3. Determine the energy values of the corresponding fluorescence lines and compare the experimental energy values with the corresponding table values in order to identify the ore samples.

Learning objectives

• Bremsstrahlung
• characteristic X-radiation
• energy levels
• fluorescent yield
• semiconductor energy detectors
• multichannel analysers