Sample Thickness Effect on Quantitative Analysis by Hand‐Held X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometers

ABSTRACT Commercially available hand‐held X‐ray fluorescence (HH‐XRF) spectrometers have their own quantitative analysis software. When the elements Se and Cd in soil samples are measured and quantified, the calculated concentrations sometimes fail by a factor of 1/2 for Cd, although the values obtained for Se are accurate. This is because of the escape depth length of fluorescent X‐rays. Easy ways to overcome this problem are presented; two point calibration, or at least one point and one blank is enough. Problems associated with mercury evaporation from the sample is also discussed. Filter paper analysis is used as an example for the present work, and a five‐filter pile of ash‐less paper is concluded to have better sensitivity than a single paper filter analysis.