The Quest for a Fundamental Algorithm in X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Calibration

Abstract

The Fundamental Algorithm between concentration (C i ) and intensity (R i ) in X-ray fluorescence analysis is deduced from Sherman's equation without any approximation. Its explicit expression is thus theoretically exact and it cor- rects completely for all matrix effects on the intensity R i emitted by the analyte i in a given specimen. This powerful algo- rithm combines the practical flexibility of the influence coefficient concept and the theoretical exactness of the Funda- mental-Parameters method. In association with its innovative calibration procedure, the Fundamental Algorithm can be applied to the analysis of any sample type and offers maximum accuracy, limited only by the quality of sample prepara- tion and the standards used.