X-ray mass absorption applied to mineral and rock analysis

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Abstract
A method of determining mineral compositions by measurement of the X-ray mass absorption coefficient has been investigated. Absorption measurements have been made on several simple two and three component systems. For a two component system, the total mass absorption coefficient is linearly related to the composition, and rapid calibration may be achieved on the basis of data for the two pure components. The method may be extended in particular circumstances to allow determination of three component systems. Several examples are presented, and the applicability of the technique is discussed. Previous calculations have indicated that the absorption of a rock relative to some standard is almost constant over a large range in wavelength. Direct measurements suggest that this relationship holds only if the relative absorption has a value close to 1.0. The relationship has considerable potential for use in rapid matrix corrections in X-ray fluorescence spectrography, since a single measurement at a convenient wavelength gives a relative matrix correction which is applicable over a large wavelength range.

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