A MICRO-XRF SPECTROMETER BASED ON A ROTATING ANODE GENERATOR AND CAPILLARY OPTICS

The analytical characteristics of a laboratory-scale micro-X-ray fluor escence spectrometer, based on a rotating anode X-ray generator and ca pillary optics, are described. Usually, a microbeam 15 mu m in diamete r, derived from a copper or molybdenum anode operated at 45 kV, is use d for sample irradiation. Elemental yields around the 1 count s(-1) (m u g cm(-2))(-1) level are obtained, corresponding to absolute detectio n limits for thin samples in the 0.05-1 pg range and to relative MDL l evels of 3-10 ppm for thick organic samples. The use of the instrument for studying (trace) element migration in Roman glass and for the non destructive analysis of decorations on Japanese I8th century porcelain vases is described.