Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:09:16.248Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Comparing existing MAC tables – hints to possible developments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2013

Pierre Caussin*
Affiliation:
Bruker-AXS, 4 Allée Hendrick Lorentz, 77420 Champs sur Marne (France)
*
a)Electronic mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Publicly available mass absorption coefficients (MAC) tables do not comprise accuracy data and are typically created from relatively old sources. The idea of comparing tables is not new (De Boer), but current software tools make it possible to quickly develop interactive software to analyze the discrepancies in finer detail and get hints to the reason for the difference. Such a tool has been created and used to compare six public domain databases. Several reasons for sizeable discrepancies have been identified, ranging from probable typos to misplaced or missing absorption edges. In addition to the discrepancies that can reasonably be pigeonholed huge differences exist for all elements below 1000 eV. Since there are many cases where reliable standards are scarce or inexistent the development of a better, consistent MAC table especially in the low energy and low Z regions, and with reliable error bars is a requirement for further development of XRF methods in many advanced fields such as waste management, user safety (RoHS), renewable energy sources, and many more. The international initiative for improved FP which involves several industrial and academic organizations aims to address the issue as a whole, i.e. not only for MAC. Creating such a complete database requires considerable resources; the comparison tool may alleviate the effort in the MAC field by readily showing which energy regions and elements deserve more attention.

Type
Technical Articles
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beckhoff, B. (2008). “Reference-free X-ray spectrometry based on metrology using synchrotron radiation,” J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 23, 845853. doi:10.1039/b718355k.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cauchois, Y. and Senemaud, C. (1978). Wavelengths of X-Ray Emission Lines and Absorption Edges (Pergamon, Oxford). Based on measurements by Bearden and Shaw, Y.Cauchois, C. R. Acad. Sci. Fr. 201, 1359 (1935) and T. Hayasi, Sci. Rep. Tohoku Univ. Ser. I 36, 225 (1952).Google Scholar
De Boer, D. (1988). Philips Research lab publication 1988 (private communication).Google Scholar
Ebel, H., Svagera, R., Ebel, M. F., Shaltout, A., and Hubbell, J. H. (2003). Numerical description of photoelectric absorption for fundamental parameter programs. X-Ray Spectrom. 32, 442451.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elam, W. T., Ravel, B. D. and Sieber, J. R. (2002). “A new atomic database for X-ray spectroscopic calculations,” Radiat. Phys. and Chem. 63(2), 121128.Google Scholar
Henke, B. L., Lee, P., Tanaka, T. J., Shimabukuro, R. L., and Fujikawa, B. K. (1982). “Low-energy X-ray interaction coefficients: photoabsorption, scattering, and reflection, E = 100–2000 eV, Z = 1–94, At,” Data Nucl. Data Tables 27, 1144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leroux, J. and Thinh, T. P. (1977). Revised Tables of X-Ray Mass Attenuation Coefficients (Corporation Scientific Claisse, Quebec).Google Scholar
McMaster, W. H., Del Grande, N. K., Mallett, J. H., and Hubbell, J. H. (1969). Compilation of X-Ray Cross Sections. Sec. 2, Rev. 1, Atomic Energy Commission Report UCRL-50174. Livermore, U. S.: University of California. p. 350.Google Scholar
Plechaty, E. F., Cullen, D. E., and Howerton, R. J. (1981). “Tables and Graphs of Photon-Interaction Cross Sections From 0.1 keV to 100 MeV Derived From the LLL Evaluated – Nuclear-Data Library”, UCRL-50400, Vol. 6, Rev. 3, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, California, November 11, 1981. Compiled using XrayCell: xtauc(E;”el 100”) (TÜ Wien).Google Scholar
Sherman, J. (1955). “The theoretical derivation of fluorescent X-ray intensities from mixtures,” Spectrochimica Acta 7, 283–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar