In this paper we will introduce the general benefits of X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for assessing the condition of the outer environment, especially where ambient aerosol particles are causing environmental disturbances. Examples from recent environmental studies are presented, and energy dispersive XRF is concluded to be a powerful, nondestructive yet easily applicable tool to supply...

This work describes a tabletop (50 cm × 25 cm × 25 cm) full field X-ray pinhole camera (FF-XPC) presenting high energy- and high spatial-resolution. The FF-XPC consists of a conventional charge-coupled device (CCD) detector coupled, in a coaxial geometry, to a pinhole collimator of small diameter. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is induced on the samples with an external low-power X-ray tube. The ...

Hard X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy offers unparalleled sensitivity for quantitative analysis of most of the trace elements in biological samples, such as Fe, Cu, and Zn. These trace elements play critical roles in many biological processes. With the advanced nano-focusing optics, nowadays hard X-rays can be focused down to 30 nm or below and can probe trace elements within subcellular com...

Applications of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis with a pyroelectric X-ray generator are presented. Glass and ceramics were analyzed with this novel X-ray generator to examine its capability for analyzing nonmetallic inorganic material. Although the power of X-ray output was a few orders of magnitude lower than conventional X-ray tubes, many elements such as Si, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Zn, Sr, Ba, ...

The identification of organic colorants in works of art has traditionally been one of the most difficult challenges in cultural heritage science. While non-invasive methods such as X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), or Raman microscopy are extremely useful for the identification of inorganic pigments, they remain generally unsuitable for the analysis of most organic colorants. The absence o...

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the fundamental principles of x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), apply this method to the analysis of simulated data for heavy metals in suspended particulate and sediment samples from Lake Nakuru and critically contrast XRF with alternative methods for determination of heavy metal concentrations. The content is appropriate for students in a course i...

Micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) analysis is a promising method for determining elemental distributions of small regions. Moreover, a recent trend in micro-XRF is 3D elemental analysis by using confocal micro-XRF instruments combined with two polycapillary x-ray lenses. Our research group has been developed confocal micro-XRF instruments by using polycapillary x-ray lenses, and its spatial ...

The same sherd was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and a micro X-ray fluorescence tube attached to a scanning electron microscope (Micro-XRF-SEM) to compare the effectiveness of elemental detection of iron-based pigment. To enhance SEM-EDS mapping, the sherd was carbon coated. The carbon coating was not required to produce Micro-XRF-SE...

High energy synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) spectra for the forensic analysis of Wakayama arsenic poisoning case, Japan, were revisited. The spectra were measured at SPring-8 synchrotron facility by Nakai in December 1998 and Mo, Sn, Sb, and Bi were used as index elements at that time to demonstrate that the suspected saleswoman’s pesticide and that found near the curry pot we...