High-precision energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis of manganese in ferromanganese

A high-precision x-ray fluorescence method for the determination of manganese in ferromanganese is described. The method involves excitation of the sample with a ¹⁰⁹Cd isotopic source and measurement with a high-resolution Si(Li) detector. To preserve the optimal energy resolution even at high count rates, the system incorporates a pulsed optical feedback preamplifier and a pulse pile-up rejector. The rejected pulses are corrected for by means of an adequate live-time correction circuit. Processing of the spectra is accomplished with the aid of a digital computer. The relative precision of the method is approximately 0.2%.