4. What can we expect from X-ray spectrometry?

4.1 Possible elements, matrices, contents

All elements except the first three of the periodic table (H, He, Li) can be investigated and analyzed quantitatively; beryllium determination is exceptional and can only be carried out on some very recent instruments. Determination of the next four (B, C, N, O) is difficult in the case of low concentrations and is only feasible on certain spectrometers, especially for nitrogen, whose emission lines are absorbed by the oxygen present in the detector window; finally, for the next eight (up to sulfur), the higher the atomic number, the easier it is. Energy-dispersive spectrometers cannot, with a few exceptions, analyze very light elements (Z < 10).

All matrices are conceivable; sensitivity to low levels is all the greater...