The diminution of sulphur contamination of powder specimens in X-ray fluorescence analysis

Abstract

The determination of light elements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry requires minimal absorption in the X-ray path. This is usually achieved by evacuation of the spectrometer with a rotary vacuum pump. Backstreaming of vapours from rotary vacuum pump oils causes contamination by the absorption of sulphur-containing compounds by the surface of powder specimens. A method is described for greatly decreasing this contamination by preparing powder specimens with a thin plastic film over the surface to be analysed.