X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a comparative method that requires calibration to obtain quantitative concentration values. The quality of calibrants directly influences analytical performance, but laboratories face significant challenges in sourcing calibration materials, including availability issues, high demand creating shortages, and a limited lifetime of standards.
Synthetic standards offer solutions to these shortcomings by providing gap-free calibration lines, line-overlap-free compositions, traceability, and unlimited availability. Malvern Panalytical addresses calibrant shortcomings through its ISO17034-accredited Analytical Services Nottingham laboratory, which produces certified synthetic standards, and through comprehensive consultancy services that evaluate requirements, screen the market for appropriate materials, and design customized synthetic standards.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a comparative method. While qualitative information - what elements are in the sample - can be measured directly by the spectrometer, the concentrations of the various elements must be measured against known reference standards. Indeed, the spectrometer itself only reports the intensity of X-ray photons arriving at the detector (in counts or counts/ second), not concentration values.
To obtain concentration values in %, ppm, g/l, etc., a calibration must be established by measuring samples of known compositions and correlating their intensities to their concentrations. This process creates calibration lines (Figure 1). During routine sample measurements, the recorded intensities are then used to derive concentrations from these calibration lines.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a comparative method that requires calibration to obtain quantitative concentration values. The quality of calibrants directly influences analytical performance, but laboratories face significant challenges in sourcing calibration materials, including availability issues, high demand creating shortages, and a limited lifetime of standards.
Synthetic standards offer solutions to these shortcomings by providing gap-free calibration lines, line-overlap-free compositions, traceability, and unlimited availability. Malvern Panalytical addresses calibrant shortcomings through its ISO17034-accredited Analytical Services Nottingham laboratory, which produces certified synthetic standards, and through comprehensive consultancy services that evaluate requirements, screen the market for appropriate materials, and design customized synthetic standards.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a comparative method. While qualitative information - what elements are in the sample - can be measured directly by the spectrometer, the concentrations of the various elements must be measured against known reference standards. Indeed, the spectrometer itself only reports the intensity of X-ray photons arriving at the detector (in counts or counts/ second), not concentration values.
To obtain concentration values in %, ppm, g/l, etc., a calibration must be established by measuring samples of known compositions and correlating their intensities to their concentrations. This process creates calibration lines (Figure 1). During routine sample measurements, the recorded intensities are then used to derive concentrations from these calibration lines.