APPLICATION OF A MICROSTRIP GAS COUNTER IN ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS

Performance characteristics of a microstrip gas counter operated as an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer are reported, Gas amplification as a function of microstrip anode-cathode voltage was measured, and the bre akdown threshold voltage was determined in pure xenon. The detector te mporal stability and the effect of gas purity were assessed, Energy re solution and linearity, detection efficiency and uniformity of spatial response in the 2-60 keV x-ray energy range were determined from the pulse-height distributions of the fluorescence x-ray spectra induced i n a variety of single- and multi-element sample materials, Energy reso lution similar to that of conventional proportional counters was achie ved at 6 keV. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.