This analysis compares sensitivities of two x-ray fluorescence spectrometers for detecting elements in air particulate matter, highlighting performance differences.
The sensitivities and limits of detection of elements of two X‐ray fluorescence spectrometers were determined and compared based on measurements of standard samples and samples of air particulate matter deposited on Teflon filters. The first spectrometer was an in‐house constructed secondary target system utilizing a 3 kW Mo anode (line focus) X‐ray tube and a single silicon drift detector, with measurements conducted in air under atmospheric pressure; the second was a commercial spectrometer, M4 Tornado Plus by Bruker, employing a 30 W Rh anode microfocus X‐ray tube, a primary beam polycapillary lens, and two silicon drift detectors, with measurements conducted at a reduced air pressure equal to 2 mbar. For both spectrometers, sensitivities for a number of elements from Z = 11 to Z = 42 (for Kα peaks) and from Z = 44 to Z = 88 (for Lα peaks) were determined and compared. The Kα and Lα peak sensitivities were from 3 to 6 times higher (better), depending on the element, for the M4 Tornado Plus spectrometer as compared to those obtained for the in‐house constructed secondary target system.
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Grzywa et al. (2025) studied this question.
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