Figure 8.35
Schematic representation of an X-ray fluorescence process.proportion that do is known as the fluorescence yield factor φ. The amount of the primary radiation
absorbed Ia and the intensity of the fluorescent emission IF are thus related by
φ may be as high as 0.5 for heavy elements but falls off rapidly to about 0.01 for light elements (Z <
15). The competitive relaxation process known as the Auger effect involves radiationless transitions and
the ejection of valency electrons. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry has developed as a
Figure 8.36
X-ray transitions in the molybdenum atom. Lines are
designated by the letter referring to the lower quantum
group and α where ∆n = – 1 and β where ∆n = – 2.