MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION OF CONVENTIONAL AND SYNCHROTRON ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROMETERS

A number of examples of the use of a detailed Monte Carlo (MC) simulat ion program for EDXRF spectrometers is discussed. The MC code is emplo yed to predict the complete spectral response of a polychromatic EDXRF spectrometer using different excitation conditions. With respect to q uantification of steel samples in which significant enhancement and se lf-absorption occur, the usefulness of the code in simulating spectra corresponding to calibration standards is demonstrated. An extension o f the program that deals with simulating the interaction of polarized radiation with matter is used to estimate the analytical qualities of currently operating and future mono- and polychromatic synchrotron rad iation XRF spectrometers.