X-ray absorption and emission

X-rays provide an important suite of methods for nondestmctive quantitative spectrochemical analysis for elements of atomic number Z > 12. Spectroscopy iavolving x-ray absorption and emission (269—273) is discussed hereia. X-ray diffraction and electron spectroscopies such as Auger and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (esca) or x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are discussed elsewhere (see X-raytechnology). 

During World War II and thereafter, the methods of x-ray detection were improved until it is now a matter of simple routine to measure relative x-ray intensity easily and precisely. This improvement, which was accelerated by the rapid progress in nuclear physics, has promoted a rapidly growing appreciation of the great advantages that can attend the application of x-ray absorption and emission to chemical analysis. In their rush to make these applications, analytical chemists have occasionally made discoveries predictable from earlier work, usually by physicists, in the field of x-rays. 

The current literature on x-ray absorption and emission in analytical chemistry is growing rapidly. In the present book, it will unfortunately be necessary to restrict references to those adequate to support the text. The reader interested in a more complete listing of the current literature will find helpful the series of review articles given below. 

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