Simultaneous determination of lanthanides by radioisotope x-ray fluorescence spectrometry based on characteristic K-radiation

The use of radiosiotope-induced x-ray fluorescence is examined for the determination of lanthanides via their characteristic K x-ray lines. Various synthetic mixtures of barium and 14 rare-earth elements were prepared and their homogeneity was checked. The intensity from each mixture was measured for 10 min with excitation by the 88-keV γ-ray from a 3.5-mCi cadmium-109 source or by direct β-particles from a 100-μCi promethium-147 source. Typical spectra and their corrected peak intensities are presented. The spectral backgrounds produced by ¹⁴⁷Pm and ¹⁰⁹Cd are considered.