Röntgenspektrometria

Röntgenspektrometria, also known as X-ray spectrometry, is a set of analytical techniques used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. It relies on the interaction of X-rays with matter. When a sample is exposed to a high-energy X-ray beam, atoms within the sample absorb energy and become excited. This excitation causes electrons to be ejected from inner electron shells. As outer electrons transition to fill these vacancies, they emit characteristic X-rays with specific energies. These emitted X-rays are unique to each element present in the sample, acting like a fingerprint.

The emitted X-rays are then detected and their energies are measured. By analyzing the spectrum of these characteristic X-ray energies, scientists can identify the elements present and quantify their relative abundances. There are two primary methods within X-ray spectrometry: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray emission spectrometry (XES). XRF uses an X-ray beam to excite the sample, while XES is a broader term that can encompass other excitation methods.

Röntgenspektrometria is a non-destructive technique, meaning the sample is generally not altered or destroyed during the analysis. This makes it valuable for analyzing precious artifacts or sensitive materials. It finds applications in a wide range of fields, including materials science, geology, environmental monitoring, forensic science, and industrial quality control, for tasks such as identifying unknown substances, checking the purity of materials, and determining the composition of alloys.