Plexiglass as a disposable sample-carrier for Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence analysis
Abstract
This paper discusses the suitability of plexiglass as a sample carrier for Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy. An evaluation of the flatness and the roughness of the plexiglass surface was made and was compared to other optically-flat sample carriers. Fall-off of the Mo-Kα scattered peak was compared for plexiglass and quartz to evaluate penetration depth and reflectivity. Fluorescence intensities of the different elements on a multi-element standard prepared on both quartz and plexiglass substrate were compared. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a sample on plexiglass is only 0.5 times lower than sample prepared on quartz for the region below 10 keV for a tube voltage of 30 kV. Optimization of the measurement conditions was carried out by measuring angular-dependent signal and background intensities.