Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-995ml Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T15:15:54.207Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Compton Scattering Artifacts in Electron Excited X-Ray Spectra Measured with a Silicon Drift Detector

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2011

Nicholas W.M. Ritchie*
Affiliation:
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
Dale E. Newbury
Affiliation:
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
Abigail P. Lindstrom
Affiliation:
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: nicholas.ritchie@nist.gov
Get access

Abstract

Artifacts are the nemesis of trace element analysis in electron-excited energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Peaks that result from nonideal behavior in the detector or sample can fool even an experienced microanalyst into believing that they have trace amounts of an element that is not present. Many artifacts, such as the Si escape peak, absorption edges, and coincidence peaks, can be traced to the detector. Others, such as secondary fluorescence peaks and scatter peaks, can be traced to the sample. We have identified a new sample-dependent artifact that we attribute to Compton scattering of energetic X-rays generated in a small feature and subsequently scattered from a low atomic number matrix. It seems likely that this artifact has not previously been reported because it only occurs under specific conditions and represents a relatively small signal. However, with the advent of silicon drift detectors and their utility for trace element analysis, we anticipate that more people will observe it and possibly misidentify it. Though small, the artifact is not inconsequential. Under some conditions, it is possible to mistakenly identify the Compton scatter artifact as approximately 1% of an element that is not present.

Type
Software and Techniques Development
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2011

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

REFERENCES

Chantler, C.T., Olsen, K., Dragoset, R.A., Chang, J., Kishore, A.R., Kotochigova, S.A. & Zucker, D.S. (2005). X-Ray Form Factor, Attenuation and Scattering Tables. Technical Report. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology. Available May 1, 2007 at www.physics.nist.gov/ffast.Google Scholar
Compton, A. (1923). A quantum theory of the scattering of X-rays by light elements. Phys Rev 21(5), 483502.Google Scholar
Goldstein, J., Newbury, D., Joy, D., Lyman, C., Echlin, P., Lifshin, E., Sawyer, L. & Michael, J. (2003). Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.Google Scholar
Klein, O. & Nishina, Y. (1928). The scattering of light by free electrons according to Dirac's new relativistic dynamics. Nature 122, 398399.Google Scholar
Knop, R.E. (1970). Random vectors uniform in solid angle. Commum ACM 13, 326327.Google Scholar
Markowicz, A. (2002). X-ray physics. In Handbook of X-Ray Spectrometry, Van Grieken, R. & Markowicz, A. (Eds.), pp. 194. New York, Basel: Marcel Dekker.Google Scholar
McMaster, W.H., Del Grande, N.K., Mallett, J.H. & Hubbell, J.H. (1969). Compilation of X-ray cross sections. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report UCRL-50174 (section I 1970, section II 1969, section III 1969 and section IV 1969), University of California.Google Scholar
Ritchie, N.W.M. (2010). Spectrum simulation in DTSA-II. Microsc Microanal 15, 454468.Google Scholar
Salvat, F., Fernandez-Varea, J.M. & Sempau, J. (2009). PENELOPE-2008: A code system for Monte Carlo simulation of electron and photon transport. NEA no. 6416. Issy-les-Moulineaux, France: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Nuclear Energy Agency.Google Scholar
Uriano, G.A. (1981). Standard Reference Material U-900. National Bureau of Standards Certificate of Analysis. Available at www-s.nist.gov/srmors/certificates/archive/U-900.pdf.Google Scholar
Wilson, A.R. & Lambrianidis, L.T. (1990). Compton-scattering X-ray artifacts observed in an STEM with high take-off angle EDS detector. J Microsc-Oxford 160(Pt 1), 17.Google Scholar