New approach to phase and modulation resolved spectra

Time domain fluorescence spectrometry offers a versatile and powerful approach to the analysis of heterogeneous emitting systems. In this paper we describe a new approach, based on software, to the acquisition of phase and modulation resolved spectra. Mixtures of fluorophores with different lifetimes can be analyzed in real time to give the individual excitation or emission spectra. Examples of two- and three-component mixtures are given and comparisons are made with the commercially available hardware approach. © 1985, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved

Atomic spectrometry update–X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

This comprehensive review covers the latest published activities using XRF techniques. X-ray analytical equipment continues to be integrated with X-ray emission/diffraction/absorption techniques with the growing use of synchrotron radiation (SR) sources reflected in the literature. This integration trend was also prevalent in the development of small-scale laboratory equipment. X-ray detectors have advanced with pixellated systems, micro-calorimeter types and the now established silicon drift detectors being readily used by many authors. Matrix correction and calibration procedures have developed to accommodate instrumental developments related to micro-beam and bulk analysis. SR-based micro-techniques for two and three dimensional imaging were reported in research activities in applications for clinical, biological, environmental and cultural heritage studies as well as investigations of extraterrestrial material. Sample preparation developments continue, especially for TXRF. The extension of TXRF to measure the angle dependence fluorescence signal (GI-XRF, XSW) showed increased interest with several groups applying the technique to depth profiling and thin layer analysis of nano-particles. More applications were reported this year for the reversed technique (GE-XRF) combining micro-beam analysis with surface sensitivity. Geochemical mapping of the moon is reported after space flight measurements used the Sun as a radiation source. The literature reflects increasing quantitative analysis using portable XRF with a welcomed growth in acceptance by the Food and Drug authorities and other applied users. This year's Update offers dietary delights for those who enjoy crab meat and an insight into the eating habits of elephants. Advice for gardeners contemplating a green roof is reported along with analysis of the wood treatments used in the manufacture of Stradivari and Guarneri violins. XRF has also played its part in the development of self-cleaning fabrics

2016 Atomic Spectrometry Update – a review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its applications

This review describes advances in the XRF group of techniques published approximately between April 2015 and March 2016. Fundamental contributions in the instrumentation sections include the development of synchrotron radiation sources, semiconductor design technology and evaluating the quality of in situ hand-held XRF results. A bench top TXRF spectrometer for the measurement of the elements from carbon to uranium is described that offers achievable detection limits that range from ng g−1 to μg g−1. The applications sections aim to give a representative overview of the range of applications that use XRF techniques with an emphasis on papers that describe technical or application innovation. Sample size investigated ranged from the planet Mercury down to nano-gram quantities of cement secreted by settlement stage barnacle larvae. The archaeological and cultural heritage section this year includes an authentic report on the use of cannabis as a filler in ancient lime plaster and heartening news that the construction of an underground parking garage in the centre of Zurich (Switzerland) unearthed the remains of seven Neolithic settlements from the 4th and 3rd millennium BC. The X-ray excitation of iron present in ancient iron-gall inks was presented as a step toward the non-invasive reading of fragile and/or unopenable documents. Feedback from readers of this review is most welcome and the review coordinator may be contacted using the email address provided

Atomic spectrometry update. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

This annual review of X-ray fluorescence covers developments over the period 2006–2007 in instrumentation and detectors, matrix correction and spectrum analysis procedures, X-ray optics and micro-fluorescence, synchrotron XRF, TXRF, portable XRF and on-line applications as assessed from the published literature. The review also covers a survey of applications, including sample preparation, geological, environmental, archaeological, forensic, biological, clinical, thin films, chemical state and speciation studies. Interest continues in micro-analytical instrumentation with synchrotron-based systems benefiting from the availability of more intense beams and efficient focusing optics. Many authors have strengthened the influence of their work with data presented as elemental maps and, where appropriate, factor analysis continues to feature. In common with other analytical techniques, this review demonstrates the emerging field of metallomics to assist in the understanding of how metals and metalloids interact within cells and tissues. Progress continues to support legislation with further analytical methods and reference materials available for environmental and industrial applications. Improvements in detector resolution and excitation optics have helped to strengthen interest in EDXRF systems to meet the demands from society for a reduction in pollutants in ambient air. The writing team would welcome feedback from readers of this review and invite you to complete the Atomic Spectroscopy Updates questionnaire on www.asureviews.org

2018 atomic spectrometry update : a review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its special applications

This review describes advances in the XRF group of techniques published approximately between April 2017 and March 2018. The review is selective with the aim of providing a critical insight into developments in instrumentation, methodologies and data handling that represent a significant advance in XRF spectrometry. It is not the intention of the review to cover comprehensively the applications of XRF techniques except in those cases where the non-destructive and remote sensing nature of XRF analysis makes it particularly valuable and the method of choice. These applications concern samples which are irreplaceable and of great cultural value such as works of art and archaeological artefacts

Synchrotron radiation micro X ray fluorescence spectroscopy of thin structures in bone samples comparison of confocal and color X ray camera setups

In the quest for finding the ideal synchrotron-radiation-induced imaging method for the investigation of trace element distributions in human bone samples, experiments were performed using both a scanning confocal synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence (SR-µXRF) (FLUO beamline at ANKA) setup and a full-field color X-ray camera (BAMline at BESSY-II) setup. As zinc is a trace element of special interest in bone, the setups were optimized for its detection. The setups were compared with respect to count rate, required measurement time and spatial resolution. It was demonstrated that the ideal method depends on the element of interest. Although for Ca (a major constituent of the bone with a low energy of 3.69 keV for its Kα XRF line) the color X-ray camera provided a higher resolution in the plane, for Zn (a trace element in bone) only the confocal SR-µXRF setup was able to sufficiently image the distribution