X-ray scattering in X-ray fluorescence spectra with X-ray monochromatic, polarised excitation - Modelling, experiment, and Monte-Carlo simulation

A systematic series of measurements has been carried out with monochromatic X-ray excitation with synchrotron radiation in order to check a physical model on X-ray scattering. The model has recently been successfully tested for the case of polychromatic, unpolarised excitation emitted by an X-ray tube. Our main purpose is the modelling of a physical background in X-ray fluorescence spectra, so that improved quantitative results can be achieved especially for strongly scattering specimens. The model includes single Rayleigh and Compton scattering in the specimen, the effect of bound electrons, the challenging Compton broadening and the polarisation degree. Representative specimens, measurement geometries and excitation energies have been selected with synchrotron monochromatic light at BAMline/BESSY II. Monte-Carlo simulations have been also carried out in order to evaluate the quality of the results achieved with the model. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.