Comparison of multiple prompt -ray analysis and prompt -ray analysis for the elemental analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples

Islam, M. A.*; Ebihara, Mitsuru*; Toh, Yosuke  ; Harada, Hideo  

Multiple prompt -ray analysis (MPGA) and prompt -ray analysis (PGA) are non destructive analytical methods for bulk chemical compositions and their analytical capabilities were compared for elemental analyses of geological and cosmochemical samples. MPGA can substantially reduce the background level, especially for hydrogenous samples relative to PGA, which opens up a possibility to use lower energy -ray of some trace elements. Although it is one of major constituent elements of rock samples, Mg is hard to be determined by PGA. With MPGA, Mg contents could be determined with reasonable consistency with their corresponding recommended values in the samples by carefully selecting suitable -ray pairs without interference correction. MPGA was applied to a hydrogenous meteorite, Ivuna. MPGA detection limits for most of the elements studied can be reduced up to one order of magnitude when compared with PGA detection limits under the present experimental conditions.