High-accuracy experimental determination of photon mass attenuation coefficients of transition metals and lithium fluoride in the ultra-soft energy range.

In the field of quantitative X-ray analysis techniques, such as electron probe microanalysis, precise knowledge of fundamental parameters is crucial. Especially, the accurate determination of photon mass attenuation coefficients is essential to perform correct elemental quantification. While the widely used databases offer agreement for the hard X-ray range, significant differences arise for lower photon energies.

A Simple Approach for Thickness Measurements Using Electron Probe Microanalysis.

A simple and fast method for thickness measurements using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) is described. The method is applicable on samples with a thickness smaller than the electron depth range and does not require any knowledge of instrumental parameters. The thickness is determined by means of the distance that electrons travel inside the sample before crossing through it.

Characterization of the Chemical Composition of Uranium Microparticles with Irregular Shapes Using Standardless Electron Probe Microanalysis and Micro-Raman Spectrometry.

We describe an approach enabling the identification of the elemental composition of uranium microparticles with undefined geometry using standardless quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and micro-Raman spectrometry (MRS). The standardless procedure is based on a ZAF peak-to-background quantitative method in combination with Monte Carlo simulations. The experimental X-ray spectra were measured with an energy-dispersive spectrometer attached to a scanning electron microscope.

Characterization of palladium species after γ-irradiation of a TBP-alkane-Pd(NO) system.

The γ-irradiation of a biphasic system composed of tri--butylphosphate in tetrapropylene hydrogen (TPH) in contact with palladium(ii) nitrate in nitric acid aqueous solution led to the formation of two precipitates. A thorough characterization of these solids was performed by means of various analytical techniques including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis coupled with a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (TGA-DSC), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), InfraRed (IR), RAMAN and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, and ElectroSpray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Investigations showed that the two precipitates exhibit quite similar structures.