COMPARISON OF GRAZING EMISSION XRF WITH TOTAL-REFLECTION XRF AND OTHER X-RAY-EMISSION TECHNIQUES

A preliminary comparison of a new x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique, grazing emission x-ray fluorescence (GEXRF), with several other XRF te chniques is described, based on previous experiments and literature. T hese techniques are total reflection XRF, conventional energy-dispersi ve XRF, wavelength-dispersive XRF and particle-induced x-ray emission. The comparison is done from a number of viewpoints, including preferr ed sample type and size, multi-element determination, interferences, a ccuracy, detection limits and cost of instruments. Different analytica l procedures for aqueous solutions between these techniques are indica ted. Particular emphasis is placed on the position of the GEXRF techni que, and it is indicated for what sample types and/or analytical probl ems GEXRF will offer significant advantages over the other techniques. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.