Figure 8.37
Schematic representation of X-ray emission spectrometry.technique of outstanding importance, whilst absorption methods are much less valuable. However, it
will be seen that because of the absorption effect any emitted radiation is attenuated by the sample
matrix and absorption processes thus have an important bearing on the interpretation and employment
of primary emission, and fluorescence measurements. Furthermore, radiant energy thus absorbed by the
matrix will be re-emitted in a process known as secondary fluorescence. The secondary radiation may
of course undergo further absorption and re-emission by the matrix in tertiary fluorescence. As a
consequence of these complex matrix effects, the analytical signal will be diminished and the
background increased. For good quality quantitative analysis it is clearly very important to assess and
make correction for them. In doing this micro-computers are extensively employed.