Investigation of two computerized procedures for energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry by the fundamental parameter approach

Both the computerized procedures investigated for x-ray fluorescence spectrometry exploit the fundamental parameter approach. Procedures 1 and 2 are without and with absolute calibration of the spectrometer, respectively. The basic fundamental parameter equations are shown and the equivalence with the notation of influence coefficients is demonstrated. The advantages and limitations of the two procedures are discussed. If the sample contains no appreciable fraction of light elements, procedure 1 is well suited for standardless quantitative calculations. Procedure 2 is not limited by this restriction, and its use may indicate if the qualitative elemental analysis is complete. Even in the case of incomplete qualitative analysis, procedure 2 gives usable quantitative results. Calibration inaccuracies with procedure 2 are easily tested by procedure 1, thus the two procedures complement each other.