A New Method for Quantitative X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Mixtures of Oxides or Other Compounds by Empirical Parameter Methods

Abstract

Two principal mathematical methods are used for quantitative XRFA: fundamental parameter calculations and the evaluation of empirical parameter equations. A comprehensive computer program based upon fundamental parameter equations was introduced in 1976 by D. Laguitton and M. Mantler (LAMA-I) and improved by T. C. Huang in 1979 (LAMA-II). The present paper describes the features of the theoretical background of a computer program using a new type of empirical (alpha*-) parameter equations. It is essentially designed for convenient analysis of compounds including those containing chemical elements, that cannot be directly measured by conventional X-ray spectrometers, such as oxides, nitrides, and others. The program also communicates automatically with LAMA in order to establish theoretical tables of alpha*-coefficients as well as conventional alpha-coefficients.