X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Alloy and Stainless Steels Using a Mercuric Iodide Detector*

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 439-444
Author(s):  
Warren C. Kelliher ◽  
W. Gene Maddox

Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has been used extensively for some time now to do accurate and rapid analysis of a variety of samples. Most XRF Systems today use cryogenically cooled Si(Li) detectors to obtain the resolution needed for analysis of samples containing several elements. The need for the cryogenic coolant results in these XRP systems being rather large and not readily adaptable to portable devices. Detectors that require no cooling, or at least require only cooling obtainable by electrical weans, offer a definite advantage over cryogenically cooled detectors for use in portable devices. Mercuric iodide (HgI2) detectors are one type of such room-temperature detectors. The major disadvantage of any room-temperature detector has been the poor eneygy resolution associated with them.

1981 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. N. Conde ◽  
L. F. Requicha Ferreira ◽  
A. J. de Campos

AbstractA review of the basic physical principles of the gas proportional scintillation counter is presented. Its performance is discussed and compared with that of other room-temperature detectors in regard to applications to portable instruments for energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. It is concluded that the gas proportional scintillation counter is definitely superior to all other room-temperature detectors, except the mercuric iodide (HgI2) detector. For large areas or soft X-rays it is also superior to the HgI2 detector.


1979 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 249-256
Author(s):  
M. Singh ◽  
A.J. Dabrowski ◽  
G.C. Huth ◽  
J.S. Iwanczyk ◽  
B.C. Clark ◽  
...  

We have previously reported on the uniqueness and potential of room-temperature spectrometry of low-energy x-rays with a mercuric iodide (HgI2) detector (1,2,3). In this paper we emphasize the use of HgI2 detectors for x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis.Because no vacuum plumbing or cryogenic cooling is required, the design of a mercuric iodide room-temperature x-ray spectrometer is extremely simple. Our present design consists of coupling a detector directly to the first-stage FET in a modified Tennelec 161 D preamplifier and making the configuration “light-tight”. Aside from providing a suitable entrance window, there are no other requirements for routine spectroscopy.


1980 ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Singh ◽  
A. J. Dabrowski ◽  
G. C. Huth ◽  
J. S. Iwanczyk ◽  
B. C. Clark ◽  
...  

1981 ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Singh ◽  
B. C. Clark ◽  
A. J. Dabrowski ◽  
J. S. Iwanczyk ◽  
D. E. Leyden ◽  
...  

1980 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nissenbaum ◽  
A. Holzer ◽  
M. Roth ◽  
M. Schieber

AbstractMercuric iodide HgI2 room temperature solid state radiation spectrometers having 4% energy resolution at 100 KeV detected the x-ray fluorescence (XRF) of the K shell of intermediate and high Z elements. The excitation of the K shells which emit XRF more energetic than 60 KeV was achieved with 7mCi collimated 57Co and for XRF less energetic than 60 KeV the excitation was done with a 10mCi 241Am source. The K shell XRF spectra of a 1:1 mixture of U and Th, and also of the single elements of Au, Tb, Ba, Ag, Mo, and Rb are shown. The results prove the feasibility of developing mercuric iodide portable XRF spectrometers which operate at room temperature and which have a wide range of geochemical and industrial applications.


1980 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 337-343
Author(s):  
M. Singh ◽  
B.C. Clark ◽  
A.J. Dabrowski ◽  
J.S. Iwanczyk ◽  
D.E. Leyden ◽  
...  

Continued development of mercuric iodide (HgI2) detectors for x-ray spectroscopy at room-temperature has led to a considerable improvement in energy resolution and a better understanding of the various detector parameters which affect sensitivity. The basic properties of a mercuric iodide detector and some of its characteristics pertinent to x-ray fluorescence analysis have been previously reported (1,2,3). In this paper we present results of studies to determine the shape o£ peaks and continuum background. Also, the use of Hgl2 in characterizing water pollutants by XRF analysis has been investigated and compared to cryogenically cooled Si(Li) and room-temperature proportional counter systems.


1982 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Howes ◽  
John Watling

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the fabrication of mercuric iodide nuclear radiation detectors suitable for X and gamma ray spectrometry at room temperature. The active area of the detectors studied are between 0.2 and 1.5cm sq and they are up to 0.5mm thick. The method of producing a stable electrical contact to the crystal using sputtered germanium has been studied. The X-ray resolution of a 1.5cm sq. area detector at 32 keV is 2.3 keV FWHM when operated at room temperature in conjunction with a time variant filter amplifier. A factor which is important in the fabrication of the detector is the surface passivation necessary to achieve a useful detector life.This type of detector has been used on a wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometer for energy measurements between 10 and 100 keV. The advantages over the scintillation counter, more commonly used, is the improved resolution of the HgI2 detector and its smaller size. The analyser is primarily used for the detection of low levels of heavy metals on particulate filters. The detectors have also been used on an experimental basis for gamma ray backscatter measurements in the medical field.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document