Patent ID: 7720192
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An X-ray fluorescence apparatus comprising: a sample holder ( an X-ray source ( a silicon drift detector ( an analyzer crystal ( a processor arranged to take a signal from the detector ( a driver for varying a configuration of at least one of the sample, the source, the analyzer crystal or the detector to select a measurement energy at which X-rays from the sample are directed by the analyzer crystal onto the detector; wherein the processor is arranged to output an X-ray spectrum of a peak at a peak energy, by: measuring a measured X-ray spectrum of the peak; measuring an X-ray spectrum of a Bragg-reflected background peak at least one measurement energy and output energy, the measurement energy and output energy being the same energy spaced from the peak energy; using the measured X-ray spectrum of the Bragg-reflected background peak to estimate an X-ray spectrum of the Bragg-reflected background peak at the peak energy; and outputting a corrected peak X-ray intensity of the peak by subtracting the estimated X-ray spectrum of the Bragg-reflected background peak from the measured X-ray spectrum of the peak.