Forschungsinfrastruktur

University of Salzburg

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Short Description

Device for the chemical characterization of a substance: XRF allows direct elemental analysis without expensive sample preparation or sample destruction. The detection limit for many elements is as low as one microgram per gram (one ppm). The device is equipped with a multiple sample holder.

Contact Person

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Finger

Research Services

Chemical analysis of solids (element composition)

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is one of the most frequently used methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the elementary composition of any type of sample, such as liquid, solid or powders.
It is particularly suitable for the detection of small impurities such as heavy metals. X-ray fluorescence is the emission of characteristic X-rays from a material that has been excited by irradiation with high-energy X-rays, electron beams or gamma rays.
The emitted radiation includes, for each element, its own characteristic wavelengths, which are used for elemental analysis.

The University of Salzburg has a wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the S4 Explorer (by Bruker AXS), which is characterized by reliable trace element determination, high accuracy and highest sensitivity.

XRF spectrometry is widely used for materials analysis in geochemistry, mining and metallurgy. Glass, ceramics, polymers, plastics, building materials, and also lubricants and mineral oil products, rock samples, as well as samples from forensics and archeology can be examined.

Allocation to Core Facility

Spectroscopy