Detection limits evaluation of a portable energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence setup using different filter combinations

In this paper, we study the performance of a portable energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer by making use of different filter configurations at the X‐ray tube output. To fulfill this purpose, we systematically investigated how the detection limits (DL) can be improved by applying three different combinations of filters (Al, Cu and Al + Cu) between the X‐ray tube and standard reference materials of different average‐ Z matrices. The obtained results were compared with the DL obtained with a benchtop system with triaxial geometry, considered the benchmark in detection of trace elements in a variety of sample matrices. The major differences occurred for the low‐ Z matrices, reflecting the increase of DL for elements with emission energies between 5 and 15 keV using filters. Regarding the high‐ Z matrices, the use of filters did not render an effective improvement in the DL but had a positive effect in diminishing sum peaks that could hinder the evaluation of some elements.