Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T18:36:33.995Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Quality Assurance of Energy Dispersive Spectrometry Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

E. B. Steel
Affiliation:
Surface and Microanalysis Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899
R. B. Marinenko
Affiliation:
Surface and Microanalysis Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899
R. L. Myklebust
Affiliation:
Surface and Microanalysis Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899
Get access

Extract

Monitoring the performance capabilities of energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDS) and related x-ray analysis electronics and software is important for determining and improving the reliability, sensitivity, and accuracy of the x-ray analysis system. In addition, there is a growing popularity of quality systems through laboratory accreditation and ISO 9000 related programs that require set quality control procedures for analytical instrumentation. Having similar standard procedures amongst labs would allow direct intercomparison of results. This intercomparison would help labs and manufacturers determine what are normal versus abnormal results and lead to higher quality instruments and analyses. We have been developing a standard operating procedure for the characterization of EDS x-ray analysis systems on electron beam instruments.

We are designing the procedure to maximize the efficiency of each quality control (QC) measurement so that we spend as little time monitoring the analysis system as is possible. We first chose useful QC specimens and then designed data collection methods.

Type
Quantitative Biological and Materials Microanalysis by Electrons and X-Rays
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Certificate of Analysis SRM 482: Gold-Copper Wires for Microprobe Analysis, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899.Google Scholar
Certificate of Analysis SRM 2063a: Microanalysis Thin Film Mg-Si-Ca-Fe-0 glass, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899.Google Scholar
Myklebust, R.Let al., in Microbeam Analysis-1990, New York:Plenum (1990)147.Google Scholar
NIST/NIH Desktop Spectrum Analyzer Program and X-Ray Database: Version 2.5, Standard Reference Database 36, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899.Google Scholar