This book offers an overview of instrumentation, analytical capabilities, and limitations in the interpretation of results, sampling considerations and applications of PXRF emphasising situations where the technique shows substantial advantages over conventional analytical techniques. The aim is to give the reader an insight into the capabilities of the technique and to demonstrate the contribution it can make to a range of areas of contemporary scientific interest. Chapters are written by internationally recognised scientists and it will be of interest to analytical scientists, environmental and geological scientists, industrial and plant scientists, archaeologists and museum researchers, research scientists and students.
About the Author: Philip J Potts, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, is an analytical and chartered chemist with research interests in the development and application of techniques for the chemical analysis of geological and environmental samples. He has contributed to the analytical characterisation of the Beagle 2 XRF spectrometer; the development and application of portable XRF techniques to the characterisation of environmental (e.g. Pb in soil) and archaeological samples; the effect of weathering and surface roughness on PXRF quantification; the analytical data quality and proficiency testing and protocols for the characterisation of geological certified reference materials. He is also a Member of the Mineralogical Society, the Association of Exploration Geochemists, Association of University Radiation Protection Officers; President of the International Association of Geoanalysts, member of Executive Committee of Atomic Spectroscopy Updates (Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy), Member of the Instrumental Criteria Sub-committee (RSC) and Chair of Atomic Spectroscopy Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Margaret West is also an analytical chemist with experience in industrial and academic applications of X-ray spectrometry especially in manufacturing and associated raw materials industries. Recognised internationally for the development, application and training of X-ray analytical techniques she is also a Fellow of the Society of Glass Technology. She serves on national and international bodies responsible for the generation of certified reference materials and standard test methods for glass and other materials and is a Member of the Executive Committee of Atomic Spectroscopy Updates (Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy) and a Member of the Instrumental Criteria Sub-committee (RSC).