Patent ID: 7289598

Claim:
A method being implemented in an X-ray fluorescent analysis apparatus for maintaining a lower detection limit at a constant level for respective analyses, comprising: determining a reference intensity of background energy and a reference sensitivity by analyzing a reference sample with the X-ray fluorescent analysis apparatus, wherein the reference sample contains at least one reference element at a known concentration; initiating an analysis on a sample using the X-ray fluorescent analysis apparatus; determining an intensity of background energy and a sensitivity for the analysis during the analysis, based on their relative deviations from the reference intensity of background energy and the reference sensitivity; determining a measurement time, given a requisite lower detection limit, using the determined intensity of background energy and sensitivity, wherein the measurement time is a function of the requisite lower detection limit and the determined intensity of background energy and sensitivity; and proceeding with the analysis on the sample to conduct the analysis for a duration of the determined measurement time to thereby effect the requisite lower detection limit.