Background and Sensitivity Considerations of X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis with a Room-Temperature Mercuric Iodide Spectrometer

Abstract

Continued development of mercuric iodide (HgI2) detectors for x-ray spectroscopy at room-temperature has led to a considerable improvement in energy resolution and a better understanding of the various detector parameters which affect sensitivity. The basic properties of a mercuric iodide detector and some of its characteristics pertinent to x-ray fluorescence analysis have been previously reported (1,2,3). In this paper we present results of studies to determine the shape o£ peaks and continuum background. Also, the use of Hgl2 in characterizing water pollutants by XRF analysis has been investigated and compared to cryogenically cooled Si(Li) and room-temperature proportional counter systems.