Elemental identification by x-ray fluorescence using a portable pyro-electric generator and a cdte detector for an advanced laboratory course

M. Castro-Colin, J. A. López, S. K. Valaparla

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

We present an analysis of elemental content carried out by means of a pyro-electric generator and a cadmium telluride (CdTe) energy dispersive detector. The setup presented can be easily assembled and is meant to be used in an advanced laboratory physics course where students can observe with ease the effect of X-rays as they interact with matter to yield a characteristic fingerprint, a phenomenon that directly relates to atomic theory as well as to practical aspects. In the present case three pieces of metal are analyzed and their elemental content shown. Additionally the raw spectrum produced by the pyro-electric generator is also presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNew Nanotechnology Developments
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages41-48
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781617618277
ISBN (Print)9781607410287
StatePublished - Jan 1 2009

Keywords

  • Fluorescence
  • Non-destructive analysis
  • Teaching
  • XRF

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