FISCHER FISCHERSCOPE X-RAY 5000 Series, Operator'S Manual

Page: 12 / 188

12 FISCHERSCOPE
®
X-RAY
Instrument Overview X-Ray Fluorescence
2.2 X-Ray Fluorescence
The specimen is excited with the primary x-radiation. In the process electrons from the
inner electron shells are knocked. Electrons from outer electron shells fill the resultant
voids emitting a fluorescence radiation that is characteristic in its energy distribution for a
particular material. This fluorescence radiation is evaluated by the detector.
The generation of the x-ray fluorescence radiation is shown simplified in Fig. 2-1. One
electron from the K shell is knocked. The resultant void is filled by either an electron from
the L shell or an electron from the M shell. In the process the K

and K

radiation is
generated, which is characteristic for the particular material.
Fig. 2-1: Generation of the x-ray fluorescence radiation
Primary X-radiation
X-ray fluorescence radiation
Shell
K L M
K

K

Electron