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Although the principles of XRF are straightforward, interpreting the data is more difficult.

There are four key factors influencing the signal detected

Factor 1

Alloy Composition and metallography

Segregation of an alloying element may be significant in particularly Pb which is insoluble in copper alloys in the solid state, and solidifies at the interdendritic boundary in the as-cast state and at grain boundaries in annealed structures.

Factor 2   Penetration depth and signal depth.

Although the primary X-ray beam is powerful it penetrates to a depth of about 10-15 microns, depending on accelerating voltage and density of the material being analysed.   The effective return signal derives from less depth as the secondary x-rays generated by the deepest penetrating primary beam’s interaction with the sample  do not reach the detector due to matrix effects on the journey towards the detector.  Monte-Carlo modelling can be used to demonstrate this.

Interpreting Archaeological XRF Data