Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes

This paper summarizes the effects of irregular shape on the results of a quantitative X-ray fluorescence (XRF) micro-analysis. These effects become relevant when an XRF analysis is performed directly on an investigated material. A typical example is XRF analyses of valuable and historical objects wh...

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Main Authors: Tomáš Trojek, Darina Trojková
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/3/1133
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author Tomáš Trojek
Darina Trojková
author_facet Tomáš Trojek
Darina Trojková
author_sort Tomáš Trojek
collection DOAJ
description This paper summarizes the effects of irregular shape on the results of a quantitative X-ray fluorescence (XRF) micro-analysis. These effects become relevant when an XRF analysis is performed directly on an investigated material. A typical example is XRF analyses of valuable and historical objects whose measurements should be performed non-destructively and non-invasively, without taking samples. Several measurements and computer simulations were performed for selected metallic materials and shapes to evaluate the accuracy and precision of XRF. The described experiments and the corresponding Monte Carlo simulations were related to the XRF device designed and utilized at the Czech Technical University. It was found that the relative uncertainty was typically about 5–10% or even higher in quantitative analyses of minor elements due to irregular shapes of surfaces. This must be considered in cases of the interpretation of XRF results, especially in the cultural heritage sciences. The conclusions also contain several recommendations on how to measure objects under hard-to-define geometric conditions with respect to reduction in the surface effect in quantitative or semi-quantitative XRF analyses.
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spelling doaj.art-ee81ab79d04d4b46a2391f6e638d86452023-11-16T17:17:34ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442023-01-01163113310.3390/ma16031133Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved ShapesTomáš Trojek0Darina Trojková1Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, 11519 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, 11519 Prague, Czech RepublicThis paper summarizes the effects of irregular shape on the results of a quantitative X-ray fluorescence (XRF) micro-analysis. These effects become relevant when an XRF analysis is performed directly on an investigated material. A typical example is XRF analyses of valuable and historical objects whose measurements should be performed non-destructively and non-invasively, without taking samples. Several measurements and computer simulations were performed for selected metallic materials and shapes to evaluate the accuracy and precision of XRF. The described experiments and the corresponding Monte Carlo simulations were related to the XRF device designed and utilized at the Czech Technical University. It was found that the relative uncertainty was typically about 5–10% or even higher in quantitative analyses of minor elements due to irregular shapes of surfaces. This must be considered in cases of the interpretation of XRF results, especially in the cultural heritage sciences. The conclusions also contain several recommendations on how to measure objects under hard-to-define geometric conditions with respect to reduction in the surface effect in quantitative or semi-quantitative XRF analyses.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/3/1133X-ray fluorescencequantitative analysismetalMonte Carlo method
spellingShingle Tomáš Trojek
Darina Trojková
Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
Materials
X-ray fluorescence
quantitative analysis
metal
Monte Carlo method
title Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
title_full Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
title_fullStr Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
title_full_unstemmed Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
title_short Uncertainty of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Micro-Analysis of Metallic Artifacts Caused by Their Curved Shapes
title_sort uncertainty of quantitative x ray fluorescence micro analysis of metallic artifacts caused by their curved shapes
topic X-ray fluorescence
quantitative analysis
metal
Monte Carlo method
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/3/1133
work_keys_str_mv AT tomastrojek uncertaintyofquantitativexrayfluorescencemicroanalysisofmetallicartifactscausedbytheircurvedshapes
AT darinatrojkova uncertaintyofquantitativexrayfluorescencemicroanalysisofmetallicartifactscausedbytheircurvedshapes