Characteristic fluorescenceThe theory of characteristic fluorescence corrections was first developed by Castaing. The same approach, with an improved expression for the relative primary x-ray intensities of the exciting and excited elements, was used by Reed, who also introduced some simplifications, which may be summarized as follows (with reference to K-K fluorescence, i.e. K radiation of element ‘B’ exciting K radiation of ‘A’):1.The exciting radiation is assumed to be monochromatic, consisting of the Kα line only (neglecting the Kβ line).2.Various parameters are lumped together in a single tabulated function J(A), which is assumed to be independent of B.3.For calculating the absorption of the emerging fluorescent radiation, the depth distribution of the primary radiation B is represented by a simple exponential.These approximations may no longer be justifiable given the much greater computing power now available. For example, the contribution of the Kβ line can easily be calculated separately.