Chapter 2: Principles of X-ray Fluorescence

This chapter is intended to serve as an introduction to the principles of fluorescence. It begins with how color vision functions and then compares and contrasts X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with this process. From here, a more detailed exploration of XRF and its spectra will be presented. Lastly, the means to manipulate the spectrum – both basic and advanced, will be presented. Beginners to XRF should consider the entire chapter – those familiar with XRF and its principals can skip to the second half.