Chapter 6, Problem 6.5PAE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Why the fluorescence emitted in XRF is at lower energies than the X-rays used to initiate the process has to be explained.

Concept introduction:

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analysis technique which is based on the principle that when atoms are excited by an energy source, they emit characteristic X-ray photons.
• X-rays are energetic enough to remove the electrons held tightly in the inner orbitals of the atoms.
• Fluorescence is a phenomenon which involves the absorption of a radiation of specific energy and re-emission of a radiation usually of lower energy.
• The emitted X-ray has its energy equal to the energy difference between the orbital it jumps from and the orbital it jumps to.